The January transfer window may now be firmly shut, but Sky Sports reports that Sven-Goran Eriksson remains hopeful of landing Portsmouth striker Benjani. Manchester City had been hoping to seal the deal late last night, believing that Portsmouth had submitted the correct documents to the Premier League in order to make the transfer happen. However, confusion now reigns and the Swede hopes things are brought to a suitable conclusion.
“I don’t know what’s happening. I hope it could still go through,” he said on Sky Sports News.
“I would like to have him in the squad. It was a little bit crazy I’d say. It was a long day and a long night.
“I went to London to get a work permit for Benjani and Felipe Caicedo and that was positive.
“Then I came back to Manchester. I was supposed to see Benjani.
“I was told he was due to arrive at 9pm, but he did not arrive until 11:15pm.
“I’ve not spoken to (chief executive) Alistair Macintosh so I don’t know what’s happening.”
So, Sven’s hopeful, even though he doesn’t know what’s happening!
The Premier League are now inspecting the paperwork regarding the deal, although if it falls through, it will be a nightmare for Pompey and City. The former will have failed to balance the books and have an extra striker on their books, while City badly need a quality striker in their ranks if they are to land a UEFA Cup place.