Nikki Bull says he hopes Freddie Ladapo will continue to play out of his skin for the remainder of the season and earn the big move his talent deserves.

Speculation about Ladapo’s Margate future has been rife for the past fortnight, but the saga ended on Monday when the 23-year-old striker turned down the chance to move to an unnamed Vanarama National League club after a fee had been agreed.

Boss Bull had revealed on Saturday that Margate had turned down four bids for Ladapo – two from a Conference club – believed to be Barrow – and two more from a Football League club.

A second Conference club joined the race on Monday and had two bids refused before coming back with a third which the Gate board accepted.

Bull explained: “Their financial offer to us was acceptable but Freddie decided to turn it down. He was only ever going to leave Margate for league football.

“But as I said to him late Monday night, if he keeps doing what he’s doing he’ll continue to have people watching him. I said don’t be disappointed that you’ve not gone and to be fair he wasn’t, he was very level headed.

“There was disappointment (on his part) last week when the league club was turned down but when he saw the facts of the bid he agreed that the figure being offered was not acceptable.

“For 90 per cent of the window the player was fully on board. He was grateful to the club for putting a figure on him which was not extortionate and he sees the bigger picture.

"I didn't expect Fred to go in the January window because in this day and age clubs like to do their due diligence when it comes to non-league players. They tend to scout them over four to six months rather than just a couple.

“Fred has said he’s going to knuckle down for the remaining 15 games and if he wants league football he’s either going to get it with Margate, one day down the line, or get there with his performances.”

Bull says he still hopes to bring winger Sean Shields in on loan from Ebbsfleet but if the deal can’t be pushed through this week he will move on.

He explained: "I spoke to Daryl (Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon) on Monday and he seems to be keen on a deal but I'm led to believe that Peter Varney (vice-chairman) had eye surgery yesterday so we didn't get to speak.

"I have to be honest if something does not get sorted in the next 24 to 48 hours I'll have to draw a line under it - it's the last-chance saloon for all parties."

Bull revealed that he has another target in mind, adding that his pursuit of that player does not depend on the outcome of the situation with Shields.

He explained: "One does not impact the other, I can bring both in. The other player is a bit of an unknown quantity but it's one I'm quite excited about."