Compromise enables Benjani to complete Man City switch
City have agreed to pay an initial fee of £3.87million, with the remaining half of the £7.75million fee due to be paid in three instalments when the 29-year-old makes 25, 50 and 75 appearances for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s team.
The Zimbabwe international signed a two-and-a-half-year deal after passing a medical.
City had expressed concerns about a knee injury Benjani had surgery on 18 months ago and, as a result, the transfer-deadline-day deal was held up.
Pompey called in the Premier League, claiming the 29-year-old’s move had already been completed, and they confirmed the paperwork for the switch had been submitted before the midnight deadline, meaning the move will satisfy FIFA.
The two clubs then thrashed out a settlement acceptable to both which allowed Benjani to complete his move.
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie told his club’s official website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: “Today’s deal has been structured to enable Benji to join Manchester City without any further delay.
“We were asked by the Premier League if we could work with City on a restructuring the original deal. We were under no obligation to do so as the Premier League had received all the necessary documents before the transfer deadline.
“However, Benji has been a tremendous servant to Pompey so we have agreed that City can pay half the £7.75million fee up front with the other split equally over 25, 50 and 75 appearances.’’
City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was equally satisfied with the resolution.
He said: “I am delighted that we have signed such a quality player and I am looking forward to working with him straight away.”
Meanwhile Middlesbrough’s new signing Afonso Alves has been granted a work permit and will join up with Gareth Southgate’s squad today.
The Brazilian sealed his move from Dutch club Heerenveen on transfer deadline day last Thursday.
The 27-year-old missed his side’s draw at Newcastle on Sunday because his final working permit had not arrived from the British Embassy in Holland.
But the relevant paperwork has now been processed, leaving Alves free to join.
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