Boreham Wood's Abdul Abdulmalik 'ready for new challenge' after club reject record-smashing bids
The National League star has spoken out following reported offers of up to £1.5m
Boreham Wood forward Abdul Abdulmalik has signalled he wants to move on from the National League club, after a run of bids for him were reportedly turned down.
The South London-born player released a statement saying he is "ready for the next challenge" and wants to prove he is "capable of reaching the top".
His comments come after Boreham Wood allegedly rejected a series of offers from Swedish side Djurgårdens IF.
The bids
According to reports, Djurgårdens saw an initial bid of £750,000 rejected, followed by a £1m offer.
A further improved bid, said to be worth £1.5m, was also turned down.
It's also reported that Boreham Wood are "adamant Abdulmalik is not for sale".
Record money for non-league football
The figures involved are among the biggest ever discussed for a National League player.
The £1m offer matched the fee Fleetwood Town received from Leicester City for Jamie Vardy in 2011, a deal reported to have risen to £1.7m with add-ons and long regarded as the benchmark for a direct non-league sale.
The largest sum ever generated by a non-league club from a player remains Maidenhead United's windfall from Max Kilman's rise to the Premier League, worth a reported £4m or more through a sell-on clause, though that came after he had already left the club.
A £1.5m bid would sit at the very top end of fees offered for a player still in the fifth tier.
What Abdulmalik said
In his statement, Abdulmalik reflected on growing up on a council estate and the sacrifices made by his family to support his career.
"I'm just a kid from South London," he said.
"Kids where I'm from know we have to work extra hard and nothing is handed to us. I have always known this, that's why I continue to strive for the best."
He said opportunities like the one now on offer were rare, particularly in the National League "where some of the hardest working talent is overlooked".
"There's no guarantee that the same chances come knocking twice. I owe it to myself and the kids growing up just like me to fight for this one I've been offered," he said.
Abdulmalik also thanked the club and its supporters.
"Everyone at Boreham Wood FC and the incredible fans have played a massive part. You will always have my respect," he said.
"With this said, I'm ready for the next challenge. I'm ready to prove to myself and those around me that I'm capable of reaching the top."