Hibernian have been handed a potential boost in their bid to sign Dunfermline Athletic hitman Kevin Nisbet after reports English side Portsmouth have ended their pursuit of the striker.
The Pars have already knocked back a £250,000 bid from Premiership new boys Dundee United for the forward, who netted 23 in 32 for the Championship side last term.
Pompey and fellow League One outfit Shrewsbury Town were also rumoured to be interested in the former Raith Rovers man, while Hibs had their own offer thrown out in January.
However, Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has decided to stick with his current forward line for the time being and will not be courting any further options for the time being.
The Pars are ready to cash in as the striker - who has scored 57 goals in 78 games over the past two seasons - enters the final year of his contract.
Nisbet is high on Hibs' sporting director Graeme Mathie's shortlist after owner Ron Gordon gave the go-ahead for the club to make signings despite "significant" financial pressure caused by the COVID-19 shutdown.
It is unlikely any incomings will happen until their wage cut dilemma is sorted with the current first team squad.
United are also believed to be keen on the striker as a potential replacement for Lawrence Shankland, but are reportedly reassessing their transfer targets following Robbie Neilson's defection to Hearts.
Speaking to the Portsmouth News , Jackett said: "We were asked about him [Nisbet] last year.
"We’ve got strikers on contracts here anyway.
"If we’re looking at Ryan Williams, Marcus Harness, Ellis Harrison, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, John Marquis and Ronan Curtis - there’s six forwards there for our front three positions.
"All of them are under contract for the next year, so it’s not an area we’re necessarily looking at now."
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