Benjani deal falls through

12 April 2012

Manchester City revealed on Friday that the transfer of Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari fell through because it could not be completed before the end of the January transfer window.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp believed that Benjani was leaving Fratton Park following England forward Jermain Defoe's arrival from Tottenham, but City were unable to complete the deal before the deadline.

Club spokesman Paul Tyrrell told his club's official website: "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.

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.

There was plenty of interest from clubs in Spain and Italy for Caicedo, but his agent revealed that a deal was imminent after a work permit was obtained.

Saif Rubie said: "He's just agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Manchester City - he's over the moon and can't wait to get over here."

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