Mwaruwari deal may beat deadline

Updated 12.17 Fri Feb 01 2008

Keywords: manchester city, harry redknapp, benjani mwaruwari, portsmouth, premier league, football, sport

Portsmouth believe Benjani Mwaruwari could still join Manchester City, even though the transfer deadline has passed.

The Zimbabwe striker held talks in Manchester hours before the deadline and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp believed the sale had been agreed, but it appears Manchester City did not file the relevant paperwork before the deadline.

"I know that Peter Storrie was told that the deal was done" - Harry Redknapp

Portsmouth's managing director Peter Storrie is trying to push the transfer through because the club would be out of pocket after spending £9 million on Jermain Defoe.

Redknapp said: "Manchester City sent half the forms off and I'm not sure where it went from there. I know that Peter Storrie was told that the deal was done.

"Peter is on the case this morning with the Premier League, seeing where we go with it. If 'Benj' is back then we'll have to see where we go with that one.

"He's a good player and we didn't want to lose him. But we just needed to balance the books with him going and Defoe coming."