Non League transfer record could be shattered as Boreham Wood reject staggering offer for star man

Jamie Vardy's long-standing transfer record could be about to be broken after it emerged that a Non-League star is attracting huge interest from clubs abroad.

Vardy banged in the goals for both Stocksbridge Park Steels in the lower echelons of English football before making the step up to Fleetwood Town in the Conference League, now the National League.

After an incredible run of 34 goals in 42 games, he was snapped up by Leicester City for a reported £1 million and embarked on a stunning spell which saw him win both the Premier League and FA Cup.

But 14 years on, that fee could well be eclipsed, with Boreham Wood rejecting a £750,000 opening offer for their talisman Abdul Abdulmalik.

Abdulmalik, a Millwall academy product, was named in the National League Team of the Season as 'The Wood' finished fourth in the league - losing the play-off final to Rochdale on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

They also won the National League Cup, beating West Ham United's Under 21 side in the final.

His impressive displays, which brought 28 goals and assists, have not gone unnoticed, as according to Sky Sports, Swedish side Djurgardens made a bid.

But the Hertfordshire outfit knocked back the offer just a week before they kick off the new campaign.

It has been reported that Djurgardens are poised to return with an improved second bid.

Should it total more than £1 million, then it will be the highest fee paid for a player outside of England's top four.

According to journalist Nizaar Kinsella of the BBC, there are clubs in France who like the look of Abdulmalik, and they too could follow up interest with an offer.

Abdulmalik scored 13 times and assisted a further seven in the National League last season and established himself as one of the top performers in the division.

Reacting to the news, Crystal Palace winger Romain Esse praised Abdulmalik by commenting, 'Playa' and tagging him in an Instagram post.

Non League transfer record relates to mammoth sell-on clause

While Vardy is the most expensive player signed from Non League, the actual highest fee received relating to a National League transfer came as a result of Max Kilman joining West Ham for £40 million in 2024.

Kilman signed from Wolves, where he had been captain, but his previous club Maidenhead United inserted a smart 10 per cent sell-on clause when he moved on to the Premier League in August 2018.

The prolific England futsal player had actually only been sold for £40,000, but because they were well aware of his potential with the clause, Maidenhead therefore made £4 million from the deal.

Reacting to the sum, the club's chairman Peter Griffin said: "This is a fantastic outcome for club which will benefit from one of the largest, if not the largest, transfer payments an English non league club has ever received, which is something to celebrate."

He also said it was a "momentous day" and said the cash injection "gives us the opportunity to profoundly change the future of the club".