EXCLUSIVE | The A-League's January transfer window has seen a couple of controversial moves but Hume City's coach reckons the system is also problematic at NPL level

The movements of Anthony Caceres and David Carney may have prompted plenty of criticism from A-League fans but if Football Federation Australia (FFA) is to overhaul their transfer system, an NPL coach has argued they need to look at grassroots level.

There is growing discontent with FFA's prohibition of transfer fees between A-League clubs.

But Caceres' loan deal from Manchester City to Melbourne City, after the Premier League outfit bought the midfielder from Central Coast Mariners sparked a much deeper dissatisfaction during the mid-season transfer window, which closed on Tuesday.

Carney's release from Newcastle Jets to sign with Sydney FC this week, after his former club seemed to admit their relationship with the former Australia international was untenable, also left a bitter taste in the mouth of some A-League fans.

Following Caceres' move to Melbourne City, A-League chief Damien de Bohun was quoted by a number of media organisations declaring the transfer system in Australia will be "reviewed in the normal course of business" after the 2015-16 season.

But Hume City coach Lou Acevski, who saw Jai Ingham depart his NPL Victoria club for Melbourne Victory last month, wants FFA to make changes below the A-League too.

State league clubs are limited by FFA regarding the price they can put on a player's head if an A-League outfit comes calling, and Acevski reckons that system is unfair.

"If the player is on a professional contract with the club… there's only a maximum amount of dollars you can ask for as a transfer fee," Acevski told Goal Australia.

"It's 50 per cent of their base wage for the remainder of their contract.

"Now that's a minimal fee, in my opinion… and to get cornered in a situation where you can only ask for a real minimal fee does not respect the clubs and they're not rewarded for their hard work in progressing and developing footballers for the A-League or the future of Australian football."

Due to the current system, Acevski explained that his club doesn't sign players on professional contracts, and he insists there is no bad blood between him and Ingham or Victory, following the winger's return to the A-League.

The former NSL goalkeeper just wants a fairer transfer system that will help clubs below the A-League grow and contribute to the overall strength of Australian football.

"The money can go back into the club, spend more money on coaching courses and developing coaches and then, obviously, the clubs will work towards helping kids become bigger and better footballers," he said.

Acevski uses the progression of the likes of Ingham and Matt Hennessey, who has joined Victory's youth team, as a "selling tool" to lure other players to Hume City.

That tactic is something that Manly United coach Paul Dee hopes to utilise as well.

Dee waved goodbye to Brad McDonald last month, with the versatile midfielder joining Central Coast Mariners.

Manly's coach considers grooming players for the A-League to be one of his key performance indicators - equal to winning trophies - and Dee reckons he has a number of other players who could succeed in Australia's top tier.

"We have capable players like [McDonald], who I think are absolutely more than ready and capable to perform in the A-League," Dee told Goal Australia.

"Players like Brendan Cholakian; Daniel Bragg has already been in the A-League [as has] Sam Gallagher and I'm fortunate enough to have him back at Manly."

But there is one player in Manly's squad, who Dee believes would be a guaranteed success at a higher level - teenage attacker Dejan Pandurevic.

Dejan Pandurevic joined Central Coast Mariners in January 2015 but failed to play a game

Pandurevic was previously at the Mariners before being released at the end of last season but Dee reckons his potential is almost limitless.

"He has just turned 19, exceptionally good technically, with great close control - equal on both feet - and a proven goal-scorer," Dee said.

"He can play up front, number 10 or even out wide. He is definitely capable of A-League standard and possibly beyond as his potential has not been realised, as he is still very young."