Defoe transfer deal takes unexpected twist

PORTSMOUTH are no strangers to convoluted transfer tales and the deal which took Jermain Defoe to Fratton Park last week is the latest to join an already lengthy list.

The former Tottenham forward was widely believed to have signed permanently for Pompey last week — not least because the club confirmed as much on their official website on Thursday night — but it has emerged that the England international has only joined the club on loan, with a view to completing a permanent deal this week.

This is yet another twist in the saga that leaves Benjani Mwaruwari still in limbo after his move to Manchester City ran out of time on Thursday night. Pompey insist that the two situations have no effect on each other and they are confident both transfers will go through when the Premier League complete their investigation over why forms from City to register Benjani did not arrive in time.