GREG Abbott says City offered Charlton-bound Mark Marshall the ‘biggest deal for a League One player in the history of the club’.

It was confirmed tonight that the winger had turned down City’s deal to join the Addicks on a two-year contract.

But Bantams chief scout Greg Abbott insisted the club had ‘gone beyond the call of duty’ to try and persuade last season’s player of the year to stay.

And he said the club were hopeful of making two new signings early next week, having made two six-figure bids this week.

Abbott said: “I have to say, on this occasion the club went beyond the call of duty to re-sign Mark Marshall.

“Stuart and I agreed on a figure and Edin (Rahic, City’s co-owner) outstripped us both. He went way beyond the call of duty and offered more than what me and Stuart thought was the right amount to offer him.

“It would have been the biggest deal for a League One player in the history of the club but Marshy wanted a bit more.

“That’s fine as footballers always try and get the best deal they can but that knocked the wind out of our sails.

“He had to make that choice based on that little extra finance and his family being down there in London.

“We haven’t won on this occasion but we gave it as good as we got.”

Despite the loss of Marshall, Abbott is in upbeat mood after a productive week behind the scenes regarding potential targets.

He said: “It comes off the back of a week when we put two six-figures bids in for players. We mean business again, we are ready to go and compete.

“There are eight or nine weeks before the season starts and I think we could make two deals on Monday.

“Terms have been agreed and medicals arranged and we are hopeful.”

Marshall, who was keen to move back down to his native London, will link up with Billy Clarke, who City sold to Charlton last week.