Gillingham eyeing up transfer swoop for 16-goal striker | OneFootball

Gillingham are keeping an eye on AFC Fylde's young striker Danny Ormerod.

Gillingham are keeping an eye on AFC Fylde striker Danny Ormerod for the current transfer window, after the teenager has stunned in the National League North in the first half of the season.

The Mill Farm academy graduate has enjoyed his breakthrough season in senior football this term and is scoring for fun, with 16 goals and a further five assists to his name in the sixth tier of English football.

The Coasters are locked in a close fight for the title at this stage with South Shields and Merthyr Town, with Ormerod's goals being a crucial part of their success this season.

However, with the January transfer window open, interest was always going to arise from higher up the footballing pyramid, given his superb strike rate in the sixth-tier this season.

Now, it's been reported by journalist Stephen Killen via X that League Two side Gillingham are one of a number of clubs keeping an eye on the 19-year-old this winter, as Fylde face a battle to retain their star man this month.

Gillingham eyeing up 16-goal AFC Fylde forward Danny Ormerod

We've seen plenty of strikers move from non-league to the EFL in recent years, with examples such as Queens Park Rangers' Richard Kone being the success story that everyone else hopes to follow.

Now, another exciting young talent has emerged in non-league this season in Fylde's Ormerod. The 19-year-old has almost managed a goal contribution per game, with 16 goals and five assists in 22 league outings.

This kind of form has, of course, raised eyebrows from above, and now reports from journalist Killen have revealed that Gillingham are one of the many clubs keeping close watch on Ormerod this winter.

Gareth Ainsworth's side sit in lower mid-table in League Two after an electric start to the season, and could be keen to secure the teenager's services, as he may become a valuable asset in the future.

The Gills are crying out for a goalscorer to be added to their ranks, with their most prolific striker, Josh Andrews, having just three league goals to his name this season - experienced midfielder Bradley Dack is leading the way with his six strikes.

Gillingham could strike gold with Danny Ormerod acquisition

There's always an element of excitement in the unknown when an EFL club takes a punt on a non-league striker, because it could reap huge rewards should the player become a success.

As we've seen with Kone in recent years, who was plucked from the ninth tier by Wycombe Wanderers before his initial £2.75m move to QPR, winning the race for a non-league gem can be absolutely game-changing for an EFL club.

With that in mind, Gillingham will hope that if they do land Ormerod, they could also be onto a winner. The teenager has a great goalscoring pedigree, and will arrive at Priestfield high on confidence, given his exceptional displays this season.

Ainsworth has an excellent record of nurturing young talent too, and working under him will be an exciting prospect for Ormerod, as he will know that the Gills boss can help him transition smoothly into EFL football.