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Yesterday, the French media was very confident that Portsmouth were in the process of signing Adil Aouchiche on loan from Sunderland.

The midfielder, who is in search of more game time, was keen on the move to the Championship side, however, the move has now suffered a late blow and Portsmouth could end up missing out on the 22-year-old Sunderland player.

Footmercato’s Santi Aouna has reported that Pompey’s move is ‘completely blocked’. A medical took place and went well but a technicality is holding back the transfer.

Aouchiche currently has low GBE (Governing Body Endorsement) points and as per regulations, professional footballers need to have at least 15 GBE points to play in the Premier League or EFL.

The system was set up by the English FA in 2021 and the midfielder’s GBE is lower than 15, reports Aouna. Therefore, he’d need to take up an ESC sport, which it’s explained Portsmouth don’t have.

That is why Portsmouth can’t sign him right now and that could potentially block the Sunderland player’s move to other clubs across the English football pyramid.

The 22-year-old has made only eight appearances in the Championship this season, having been on the bench in the last three games.

Given he’s already in English football, this obviously creates a series of questions which Portsmouth will hope to be able to navigate their way through.