Pompey’s move for Svetoslav Todorov is being hindered on the striker’s side.
Guy Whittingham has indicated the fact the Blues hero is under contract with Ukraine outfit Hoverla Uzhhorod is wrecking the chance of any potential homecoming.
The Pompey boss confirmed there has been no offer for made for Todorov, who has made it clear he is keen to come back to Fratton Park.
Todorov has indicated he would wait for an offer to be received before asking to walk away from his existing deal.
Whittingham has not given up hope of an agreement being reached and has underlined his desire to bring the 34-year-old back to Pompey if a move is possible.
But with the club in administration and only able to sign players on month-to-month deals, that has to be balanced with Pompey’s playing budgets.
He said: Toddy’s contracted to a club out in Ukraine, so there you go. That’s where it is.
‘Even if he wants to come back and we want him to come back there’s still that.
‘We haven’t got as far as making an offer. It’s not gone that far.
‘I don’t know more than that. As far I know we haven’t made an offer because he has a club.
‘But when a player like Toddy comes around, with what he’s done for this football club, you have to be interested if he’s showing a desire to come back.’
Whittingham feels bringing a player like Todorov to Pompey would provide a much-needed boost to a club that needs a lift at present.
And the man who grabbed 26 goals when Pompey won promotion to the Premier League in 2002-03 would offer a benefit to younger players with his nous and vast experience.
Whittingham said; ‘It’s almost a bit like David Connolly, if you like.
‘Toddy’s a good pro who knows how to play the game and works hard.
‘We’re always interested in players like that.
‘He would give a lift as well. Nothing’s going our way.
‘But we’re hopeful it will sooner rather than later.’
Meanwhile, Pompey are set to receive a £40,000 windfall following Matt Ritchie’s switch to Bournemouth.
The Gosport wideman agreed a £550,000 switch to the Cherries on Wednesday night.
That means the Blues will benefit with the club due a 30-per-cent cut of any profit the Robins made on the player.
Bournemouth did have a bid thought to be in the region of £1.2m turned down for Ritchie last year.
But with Swindon facing financial difficulties they’ve been forced to cash in on their asset.
Pompey will not benefit, however, if former keeper Asmir Begovic leaves Stoke.
Begovic is being linked with Manchester United and Liverpool but no sell-on clause was put into his deal when he left Fratton Park in 2010.
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