Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City striker Benjani would welcome return to Portsmouth
Zimbabwe striker Benjani admits he would love to get the chance to play for Portsmouth again - but stressed it was up to Manchester City if they wanted him to leave.
The 30-year-old, who moved to City during the 2008 January transfer window, has fallen down the pecking order at Eastlands after the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz, which could soon be followed by Carlos Tevez.
Both Stoke and Fulham are reported to be keen on the African striker.
However, Benjani, signed by Pompey from Auxerre during 2006, feels there is a 'special relationship' with the Fratton Park faithful - one he would not be adverse to rekindling.
'I have good memories and I have a special relationship with the Portsmouth supporters,' Benjani said. 'I left on a good note and I have nothing but good feelings about them, that is for sure.
'I would love to play for them again, but at the moment I am contracted to Manchester City. I have a job to do here until I am told anything else.
'There is a lot of talk about my future, but at the moment I am still a Manchester City player.'
Benjani, quoted in the Portsmouth News, added: 'Obviously there is always speculation in football, though. I am happy to stay unless the club declare they do not want me any more.
'In football, you never know what is around the corner.'
Benjani started just eight games for City last season because of fitness problems and the striker is now focussed on getting ready for the new campaign.
'The problem I have had is the injuries I had last season, but everything is okay now. I am ready to play and I need to play,' he said.
'I am training with the squad and we are about to fly out to Germany. I have a contract at the moment and I just want to play football.'
Portsmouth, meanwhile, have yet to confirm a permanent management team for next season, after Paul Hart and Brian Kidd took charge over the closing months of the season following Tony Adams' dismissal.
Captain Sol Campbell is out of contract, and it is not clear whether the former England defender, 34, will be offered new terms to stay.
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has rejected suggestions he was set to move for Pompey striker Peter Crouch.
Off the field, Sulaiman Al Fahim's proposed £60million takeover could be close to completion as the Barclays Premier League club's financial affairs are given due diligence.
A spokesman for Al Fahim said: 'The doctor is still just as confident as ever the takeover will be seen through.
'He is obviously aware of some stories which have been circulating. But he can 100 per cent reassure supporters he is committed to seeing the takeover through.
'He is desperate to get started and help drive Portsmouth forward. He fully understands that people are getting anxious.
'The doctor shares the supporters' frustrations at the length of time due diligence has taken. But he needs to make sure everything is correct before the takeover is completed.
'There is no need to think that anything has happened which will stop the takeover being completed, though.
'There are no shortcuts when it comes to something like this. There are no problems, though, and the takeover is pushing through.'
