Boreham Wood chairman's message to Portsmouth, Sunderland, QPR, Barnsley, Middlesbrough and Charlton amid Sorba Thomas interest

The National League side’s chairman, Danny Hunter, issued the ultimatum after reports emerged on Thursday that Charlton had an offer rejected for their 21-year-old forward.

He confirmed that the Addicks’ offer was turned down, after it fell short of their asking price.

And in a message to other clubs reportedly interested – Barnsley, Peterborough, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and QPR – Hunter said clubs will be wasting everyone’s time if they fail to match their valuation of a player who scored five goals in 35 games last season.

Pompey would like to add to their attacking ranks before the close of the transfer window today.

However, it remains unclear how high up Thomas is on their radar.

In the statement issued by Thomas, he said: ‘After a leaked article was anonymously put into the public domain yesterday and after much speculation that Charlton Athletic had made an offer for Wood fans favourite Sorba Thomas, the club can now publicly state, that Charlton have in fact made a bid.

‘But their kind offer falls a bit short of the club’s valuation of the player, which they were made very aware of that before making their offer in writing.

‘We have out of respect to both Charlton Athletic, Steve Gallen and of course the player, reiterated our asking price to Charlton by detailing what would trigger our acceptance and we have also stated that we are very happy to take payments in stages to assist the player securing his move into the EFL.’

Hunter added: ‘We’ve carefully nurtured Sorba through our academy and over the last three or four years given him a great first team shop window to showcase his talent.

‘In truth, everyone has now seen his talent, knows his value as a player, what he represents and what his worth is to the club.

‘It’s very unfortunate that Sorbs was advised to pull out of our league game at King’s Lynn on Tuesday, to perhaps force through a move, but as my mother used to say, youth is wasted on the young. That said, as a smaller club we must stand up to that type of behaviour and orchestrated bullying.

‘What I can say is categorically is that, if Charlton Athletic, Barnsley, Peterborough United, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, QPR or any of the other rumoured interested clubs do match our valuation, then they can of course talk to the player.

‘If Sorbs and his representatives then choose to go, he will leave Boreham Wood with our full blessing and well wishes.

‘If our valuation is not met, then we expect Sorbs to act professionally, keep working hard and if he does that, then his talent will do the rest.

“Neither the gaffer nor myself honestly wish to stand in his way, as he’s worked hard to get to where he presently sits, but everyone already knows that he really is an outstanding talent.

“You don’t sell the family silver for under the market value.

‘We have also been patient and developed him beautifully here since he was 16. As such we do feel he genuinely has a true development value to this football club and we believe any fee has been honestly earned.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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