Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp claims he has agreed personal terms with Paul Merson over a move to Fratton Park.
Redknapp is now said to be waiting for Merson to tie up an arrangement with Aston Villa over bonuses before the free transfer goes through and the former England international signs a two-year contract with Pompey.
The 34-year-old will reputedly earn around £10,000 a week at Pompey - less than half his Villa wages.
Redknapp told Portsmouth's The News: "Merse is so easy to deal with it's unbelievable. He's keen to come here and he's not being greedy.
"I would like to get him here but it's still not a done deal.
"He's got to sort things out at the Villa end. His agent has gone away to work on that.
"Villa don't want a transfer fee. They're fine on that. But there are a couple of other things in the equation.
"Merse doesn't want half what people are saying - I swear to God. It's a straight deal. He wants to play football and has been as good as gold."