Reuters

Benjani confusion continues

Updated 14.27 Sat Feb 02 2008

Keywords: Manchester City, Portsmouth, Benjani

Confusion continues to surround the future of striker Benjani Mwaruwari after his botched move from Portsmouth to Manchester City.

The Premier League are attempting to unravel the controversial details of the Zimbabwean's deadline-day dealings.

It is understood that City officials got cold feet on the £7.6 million transfer, after the player turned up several hours late having missed two flights to Manchester

Benjani, the third top scorer in the Premier League with 12 goals, has found himself in the bizarre position where neither his original club Portsmouth nor City really want him.

It is understood that City officials got cold feet on the £7.6 million transfer, after the player turned up several hours late having missed two flights to Manchester, and tried to abort the deal.

Portsmouth however claim the paperwork had all gone through and that Benjani, 29, should be a City player - they have signed Jermain Defoe from Tottenham as a £7 million replacement.

The Premier League are investigating but a decision will now have to wait until Monday, but both clubs are now negotiating with each other to try to find an acceptable settlement.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said the club had been contacted by City just before midnight when the transfer window was due to close.

But City are insisting the paperwork had not gone through when officials pulled the plug on the deal, and told the Premier League that Benjani's medical only started at 11.15pm.

Redknapp said: "If Benji is back we'll just have to see where we go with that one. He's a good player and we didn't want to lose him but we had to try to balance the books."

Eriksson said: "I really don't know exactly what's happening. We will have to wait and see what's coming. Of course I hope it will go through I would like to have him in the squad."