City poised for striking swoops

Manchester City are on the brink of landing strikers Benjani Mwaruwari and Felipe Caicedo.

PA Sport understands Portsmouth’s Zimbabwean international Benjani is undergoing a medical at Eastlands having agreed personal terms with the club.

Despite a slow start to his Portsmouth career after signing in a £4.4m move from Auxerre in January 2005, the African has blossomed with 12 goals this season, including two hat-tricks.

This, together with Benjani’s prodigious work-rate has clearly alerted City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson who loaned out strikers Georgios Samaras to Celtic and Rolando Bianchi to Lazio in the last week.

And 19-year-old Ecuador international Caicedo is poised to complete his move from Swiss side FC Basle for a fee of around £5m.

There was plenty of interest from clubs in Spain and Italy for Caicedo, but his agent revealed tonight that a deal is close after the player received a work permit.

Saif Rubie explained: “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.

“He’s a left-footed striker who can also play on the left wing and who has a similar build to Adriano.

“It’s taken the best part of two months to come together and the player respects the fact Sven-Goran Eriksson wanted to sign him – he wanted to play under Sven.

“He likes the fact Sven has the reputation for bringing through young players.

“He is one of the most exciting talents in South America – even though Ecuador hasn’t got the profile of Argentina or Brazil he’s well thought of in that region.”

Rubie added on Sky Sports News: “Three other clubs were in for him from the north-west and north-east but they didn’t quite match the valuation of Basle.

“The terms have been agreed and he’s got his work permit as well.

“He’s physically good for the Premier League and is ready to get his teeth stuck into it.”

However, if a deal is completed before the transfer window closes, the 19-year-old will not figure in Saturday’s Premier League match against Arsenal.

Rubie added: “He’s not due over here until Sunday or Monday – then hopefully he will be in contention for the next game (the Manchester derby against United at Old Trafford on February 10).”