The last-minute transfer deal for Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari has fallen through early on Friday morning after indications that the transfer deal had been successful.

Manchester City have themselves released a short statement confirming that the proposed transfer of Portsmouth and Zimbabwe striker Benjani to the Blues was unsuccessful.

Manchester City spokesman Paul Tyrrell said on the Man City official website: "Due to the late arrival of the player in Manchester we were unable to complete the transfer."

It was believed that the transfer of Jermain Defoe from Tottenham Hotspur to Portsmouth was based solely on the proviso that the deal for Benjani would be completed, but due to delays it seems that Portsmouth decided to invest in Defoe despite the lack of confirmation from Man City.