'Two and two together' - Portsmouth chief executive explains failed pursuit of Millwall midfielder Ben Thompson

Although the Blues' chief executive refused to specifically name the Millwall midfielder, he admitted fans could 'put two and two together' when asked about Thompson in his October 2020 Q&A with the club's media department.

As first revealed by The News, the Fratton favourite was Pompey's top target heading into the final days of the summer transfer window.

Kenny Jackett was highly keen for Thompson to return to PO4, following his scintillating loan spell during the first half of the 2018-19 season.

The 25-year-old began the season down the midfield pecking order at The Den, starting just one Championship game which alerted the Blues.

But Pompey were unable to get a deal over the line before the 5pm deadline on Friday, October 16.

Catlin admitted that Pompey's chances of signing Thompson ‘were at the mercy' of the Lions’. They wanted to recruit Brighton's Jayson Molumby but a deal didn't materialise and therefore wouldn’t sanction a departure for Thompson.

Speaking on his October 2020 Q&A, Catlin said: ‘We never talk about players that are contracted to other clubs.

‘We have got a fantastic relationship with Millwall. Myself and the CEO get on great, club to club the owners get on great. There are a lot of common links in regards to the passion of the fans and a club we get on well with from an executive point of view.

‘I can't comment on players at other clubs other than to say we know Ben, we know he's a great player. I stay in regular contact with him and we want the best players at the club so make your mind up there. Put two and two together, exactly that.

‘We would never put the player out there to appease fans, it's not our style or what we do.

‘We were very pleased (with the window), signed a good mix of experience and up-and-coming talent.

‘It took time, as always, for a few of them to bed but on the whole very pleased.

‘We went into deadline day – two and two together – the day before there was one transfer we were desperately trying to get over the line.

‘We potentially would have got it over the line but the club we were talking to about this particular player were at the mercy of another club bringing someone else in.

‘It didn't materialise and there was obviously disappointment that day but we didn't want to rush and panic to bring someone in because the window reopens again very quickly.’

Thompson remains on the fringes at Millwall and was an unused substitute in their 3-0 loss to Huddersfield on Saturday.

Should his situation remain the same when the January transfer window opens, members of the Fratton faithful will again likely clamour for Pompey to reignite their interest.

Catlin admitted that the Blues are already starting to plan their next phase of recruitment.

He added: ‘We are already planning for that, we have got a space or two within our existing squad to work with.

‘We have regular recruitment meetings - not just with myself, Kenny, Tony Brown and Joe Gallen etc - but we also have regular contact with our owners and you can be sure we're already working on that for January and next summer, which is important.

‘You want to get the talent in January that could make an impact the following summer and not be left chasing around in the summer.’