Mwaruwari Benjani

BENJANI Mwaruwari's protracted move to Manchester City is expected to go through this week.

The striker's £9m switch from Portsmouth has been in doubt since last Thursday, when it hit problems late on transfer deadline day.

It has left the 29-year-old in limbo - but Pompey boss Harry Redknapp revealed that the deal should go ahead as planned.

"I feel for Benjani because at the moment he seems to be the big loser in all this," he said. "But hopefully it will all be sorted out on Monday and I think he will end up as a Manchester City player.

"If not, from a greedy football manager's point of view, I'd be delighted to get Benjani back.

"I didn't want to lose him in the first place but, of course, I had to because it is good business to sell a 29-year-old and get in a lad of 25 who is always going to get you goals."

Sven-Goran Eriksson remains hopeful he can land Benjani - particularly after allowing Rolando Bianchi and Georgios Samaras to leave in January.

It has left City severely short up front - with a lack of goals being a problem all season for Eriksson's hopes of leading them into Europe.

He said: "I expect a decision to be made either on Monday or Tuesday.

"We have to wait until then to see all the facts of the situation.

"I want him to come and I believe he wants to join us."

Benjani has also indicated that City is his preferred choice.

"I'm still hopeful that the move will go through," he said. "I want to play for Manchester City."