Clough reunion for Jacobs as he appears on Mansfield’s radar?
Out-of-contract Pompey forward Michael Jacobs is on Mansfield’s wanted list.
Reports have emerged that Stags boss Nigel Clough is keen to be reunited with the 30-year-old, whom he signed while manager of Derby.
However, it’s unclear whether his interest will bear fruit following Mansfield’s League One play-off final defeat to Port Vale.
The 3-0 loss – which saw former Blues defender Oli Hawkins sent off – means Field Mill will once again stage League Two action next season.
And there’s doubts whether Jacobs would be willing to drop down to that level.
The forward is currently weighing up his options, which includes an incentivebased offer from the Blues that would top up a basic salary depending on how the former Wigan man performs.
Jacobs believes that is a reasonable basis on which a deal can be struck, allowing him to extend his two-year stay at Fratton Park.
The winger’s next chapter in his career remains up in the air, though, with Mansfield joining former club Northampton in registering their interest.
In the meantime, Clough has spoken of his need to bring in 4-5 new recruits that will prove the difference next season.
Speaking to the Mansfield Chad, he said he wanted to make inroads on those signings as soon as possible.
Part of that process will be making ‘chase-up calls’ to targets who had previously indicated that playing League Two football was not for them
Clough said: ‘We definitely need one in each department, depending on who stays and who goes.
‘We only need one defender. We are happy with our defensive options. Then a couple of midfielders and a couple of attackers – maybe one attacker outright and one who just plays off a little bit.
‘That will be the aim. If we can get five in those areas then we will be happy.
‘We have started talking to players. Three or four of the players on the list have said they are only interested in League One which you can understand.
‘So we just need to find out if that is still a definite for them – a make or break. Some people change their minds. They might not have had the offers that they'd hoped for.’