Pompey refusing to give up on Jervis

The free agent, who has been training with Guy Whittingham’s side since last week, has agreed to a Fratton Park switch.

However, there are complications with former club Elazigspor.

It is understood Jervis, who last season spent a month on loan at Fratton Park, mutually agreed his exit from the Turkish club this summer after they failed to pay him for a number of months.

However, under Fifa regulations, Elazigspor are entitled to compensation for training and development as he is under 24.

Jervis is hoping this will be waived but Pompey fear a bill for ‘tens of thousands of pounds’ should he sign.

As a result, the FA are working with the Players’ Football Association and Turkish FA to officially clarify the situation.

And it means Pompey are unable to sign the striker until that happens.

Chief executive Mark Catlin said: ‘We are still waiting for international clearance for Jake.

‘It is complicated because it is down to training compensation and by signing him we could be liable under Fifa rules.

‘We have had legal advice, and if we sign him – even for a month – we could get hit for tens of thousands of pounds.

‘We have been told it is slim but as a club we cannot take any risk whatsoever – we need it waived by Elazigspor.

‘Otherwise, it may be a case that he signs and they rub their hands and think “let’s go and make money and see what we can get out of it”.

‘So the PFA and FA are involved in putting pressure, as are the Turkish FA, but the club is not getting back to them.

‘We have got to sign Jake with no burden and any club wanting to recruit him will have this problem.

‘For once, we are not part of the complication and we do not want to be part of it.

‘So we will stay clear until there is a categorical answer, although this is something we are chasing every day.’

The 22-year-old left Birmingham City for the Turkish side in January on a three-and-a-half year deal.

Ultimately, it turned sour and since the summer he has spent time training at both Sheffield United and Coventry in a bid to find himself a new club,

However, the issue with Elazigspor remains a potential pitfall.

It’s a problem Pompey cannot afford to be caught in.

Regardless, Whittingham is desperate to recruit the striker.

Catlin added: ‘Guy has spoken to Jake and we want him to feel at home here and want him to lay down roots.

‘This has lasted almost a week now but we are not going to give up on him.

‘We are going to keep on trying to sort this out because we want the lad here.’