Boss reveals position over Portsmouth move for winger being targeted by Charlton, Barnsley, QPR, Peterborough, Sunderland and Middlesbrough

Kenny Jackett isn’t targeting a move for in-demand non-league winger Sorba Thomas.
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But the Pompey boss explained he will continue to scour the National League and beyond for players with the potential to step into the pro ranks.

Thomas is one of the most in-demand players in the game’s fifth tier with a host of league clubs, including Charlton, Barnsley, QPR, Peterborough, Sunderland and Middlesbrough,

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The 21-year-old was transfer-listed last month and this week spoke out about the chances of moving on in January.

Charlton were said to have made a bid in the summer which didn’t reach Boreham Wood’s valuation of the player.

Thomas is now keeping his options open, with a view to what could potentially happen in the new year.

Sorba Thomas (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Sorba Thomas (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Sorba Thomas (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

According to Jackett, however, Fratton Park is unlikely to be the player’s destination.

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The Pompey boss stated he’s aware of Thomas, but there’s no move in the pipeline for Pompey.

He said: ‘I’m certainly aware of him and he played in last year’s play-offs.

‘But he’s not someone we’ve enquired about or have targeted.

‘I don’t know him personally, but I have seen the player and so, no doubt, have our recruitment team.

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‘But he’s not one we’ve approached or are planning to approach.’

Jackett has brought in a number of National League players since succeeding Paul Cook as manager in 2017.

Oli Hawkins, Louis Dennis and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild have all been recruited in that time, with the Pompey boss keeping a close eye on up-and-coming players at that level.

It’s an avenue Jackett is keen to keep exploring moving forward, with work continuing on ways to reshape the squad when the January window.

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The Blues boss is keen to keep all his options open when it comes to the areas he’s bought players in the past.

Jackett added: ‘There are possibilities there in non-league football.

‘But we can’t just limit ourselves to non-league, Championship squad players, foreign players or under-21 players.

‘You have to have a wide range of knowledge everywhere.’

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