Luton Town, Stockport County & Reading FC in 5-team transfer chase for 13-goal striker | OneFootball

Luton Town, Stockport County, and Reading have joined Wycombe Wanderers and Oxford United in the race for York City star Josh Stones

Luton Town, Stockport County and Reading, Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers have all turned their attention to one of York City's most-prized assets ahead of the summer transfer window.

York sit top of the National League with nine games remaining, and are vying to beat Rochdale to a long-awaited League Two return.

Meanwhile, Luton, Stockport, Reading, and Wycombe are all battling for a League One play-off spot, whereas Oxford are hoping to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Matt Bloomfield's men bolstered their second-tier survival chances on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion, and they are among a cluster of clubs keeping tabs on a National League hotshot.

Luton Town, Stockport County, Reading, Oxford United, and Wycombe Wanderers plot moves for York City striker Josh Stones

Former Wigan Athletic and Oldham Athletic man Josh Stones has played a key role in York's National League title bid, notching 13 goals and six assists in 32 fifth-tier appearances.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that, as per Alan Nixon via Patreon, a whole host of EFL clubs are in the mix for the former Latics forward.

Nixon claims that that Stockport, Reading and Oxford scouted Stones this weekend as York beat Morecambe 1-0 in Lancashire on Saturday, with the much-fancied striker producing the assist for Ollie Banks' last-gasp 99th-minute winner.

Meanwhile, Luton and Wycombe representatives were in attendance when the ex-Wigan man notched a brace in his side's 3-0 win at Scunthorpe United on 24 February.

The 22-year-old has been in prolific form recently, notching five goal contributions in his last four appearances, while York have enjoyed a nine-game winning streak in the National League - Stones isn't the Minstermen's top scorer, but he's certainly making a huge impact in Stuart Maynard's sides promotion push.

Josh Stones could be best served by staying at York City - on one condition

Stones' National League exploits are impressive, and at 22 years old, the striker still has plenty of time to develop into a player who could cause problems in League Two, League One, and even the Championship.

Recent developments have shown that the gap between the fifth tier and the EFL can be bridged by talented forwards, as Michael Cheek has spearheaded Bromley's shock League Two title bid.

The 34-year-old had not played in the fourth tier until last season, when he notched 25 goals and seven assists in 45 league appearances.

Stones has not been as prolific in non-league as Cheek was, but the Bromley man's performances prove that the likes of the York ace can adjust to the EFL.

However, the former Wigan striker previously struggled for game time with the Latics, prompting the North West outfit to sanction his move to the fifth tier in January 2025.

Stones therefore could be best served by staying with York if he wins promotion to League Two with his current club, as re-adjusting to the EFL would be an easier task to complete in a familiar environment.

However, if Stuart Maynard's men fail to seal a fourth-tier return, the 22-year-old should relish the opportunity of signing for Luton, Stockport, Reading, Wycombe, or Oxford.

Stones' next club may have to be patient with the youngster, though, especially if a summer transfer sees him jump all the way from the National League to the Championship.

The ex-Oldham loan star boasts impressive physicality and a small amount of EFL experience, but his serious goalscoring credentials have only come in the fifth tier so far.