Recluse before old power, reportedly (7)
I believe the answer is:
eremite
'recluse' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'before old power reportedly' is the wordplay.
'before old' becomes 'ere' (I've seen this in another clue).
'power' becomes 'might' (synonyms).
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'might' is a homophone of 'mite'.
'ere'+'mite'='EREMITE'
(Other definitions for eremite that I've seen before include "ascetic" , "Solitary" , "Religious type" , "Christian hermit or recluse" , "Christian living in severe circumstances" .)