Benjani deal off
Manchester City this morning revealed the transfer of Portsmouth striker Benjani to the Blues was unsuccessful – because it could not be completed before the end of the January transfer window.
Despite the apparent belief of Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp that Benjani was leaving Fratton Park following England forward Jermain Defoe’s arrival from Tottenham, City report that time simply ran out.
Club spokesman Paul Tyrrell told his club’s official website, www.mcfc.co.uk: “Due to the late arrival of the player in Manchester, we were unable to complete the transfer.”
City did manage to beat the midnight deadline to sign Felipe Caicedo from FC Basel.
But their hopes of adding 29-year-old Zimbabwean Benjani to their squad foundered on the strict rules of registering new players on time.
The late twist will come as a shock to Pompey boss Redknapp, who only minutes earlier had appeared convinced Benjani was on his way.
He told Sky Sports News: “I’m sorry to be losing ’Benji’ – because he’s been a terrific player for us.”
Instead, Redknapp is likely to have an embarrassment of riches in his forward line when he picks his team to face Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow – while City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson must make do with just one new forward.
Nineteen-year-old Ecuador international Caicedo is thought to have moved to Eastlands in a deal worth around £5million, although no fee has been disclosed.
Caicedo featured for his country in last summer’s Copa America and has two goals in 15 international appearances.
His four goals in 12 matches for Basel, managed by former Tottenham boss Christian Gross, have helped fire them to the top of the Swiss league.
