PORTSMOUTH will not pay £300 000 to secure the services of Zimbabwe international Onismor Bhasera from Kaizer Chiefs because the player claims he is a free agent.

Bhasera's dream move to Pompey stalled this week, following revelations by Kaizer Chiefs that the English club would have to buy him out of his remaining one-year contract with Amakhosi.

Breaking their silence for the first time, Portsmouth said they signed Bhasera under the impression that he was a free agent.

Responding to enquiries from Standardsport, Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie said the club was willing to wait until January, if there is a "continuing argument".

Storrie said: "We have a complicated situation with him where he believes he is a free agent and not under any contractual position. Obviously there is a team in South Africa (Kaizer Chiefs) that feels differently.

"We are very much in the middle of this discussion. Providing he can prove he is a free agent he can be signed outside of the window. If there's a continuing argument then it is going to have to wait until January."

The English transfer window closed on Tuesday night with Bhasera failing to be registered because of the row with Kaizer Chiefs.

It is understood that Chiefs want £300 000 -- the amount they paid to find cover for Bhasera -- after the Warriors left back abruptly left the club for trials with Portsmouth without officially informing the club.

Bhasera was hot-property at Chiefs who were hoping to have the player on their books this season. The club later invaded Zimbabwe and plucked defender Thomas Sweswe from Dynamos as Bhasera went for trials at Pompey.

The club also swooped on Gunners' left back, Zhaimu Jambo, who is probably the replacement for Bhasera. The claim by Kaizer Chiefs is bit puzzling as Zhaimu joined Chiefs for free. Gunners will only start benefiting from their investment in Zhaimu should he make a move to Europe under the agreement with Chiefs.

The clubs also snatched Knowledge Musona from Aces' Academy.

This is not the first time that Bhasera's move has faced hitches. The United Kingdom Home Office last month threw out an application by Bhasera for a work permit to ply his trade at Portsmouth.

Bhasera could not qualify for a work permit as his home nation's team -- the Warriors are ranked outside the top 70 in the FIFA world rankings. Zimbabwe is ranked 120 in the world.

However, Portsmouth successful made a special appeal to the Home Office and Bhasera was granted a work permit.

Kaizer Chiefs' manager Bobby Motaung said that the Bhasera deal had been stalled because of disagreements with Pompey over the player's value.

While the wrangle rages on Bhasera will watch the English premiership from the sidelines.