Benjani in £5 million Sunderland switch

Zimbabwe captain and Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari could be heading out of Eastlands with his representatives talking to Sunderland.

The deal could cost the Black Cats £5million in a move that is expected to be completed before the English transfer window shuts at 5pm on Monday.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce insists any signing of Benjani would not necessarily pave the way for the departure of Kenwyne Jones, with initial interest from Liverpool seemingly cooled.

Bruce’s desire to have Benjani at the Stadium of Light has been strengthened after Citizens boss Roberto Mancini declared he would not stop the 31-year-old from exiting Eastlands, while West Ham United claim they are no longer pursuing the former Auxerre and Portsmouth targetman.

Benjani has dominated all the transfer speculation this transfer window with over 4 clubs said to be tracking him. West Ham, Blackburn, Sunderland and Turkish giants Galatasaray have all been linked to him.

Its the Sunderland deal however which is now at an advanced stage. When asked about Benjani’s prospects with Sunderland, Bruce reverted to a more cautious train of thought.

“We haven’t got there yet, so we will see how the discussions go over the next few hours,” he added.

Benjani is likely to play as cover to in-form striker Darren Bent if he should complete a switch to the Stadium of Light.

Benjani, 31, is a free agent in the summer but City boss Roberto Mancini says he can move on now if he wants to.

Mancini said: “He told me he had a possibility to go and play.

“We have a lot of strikers but it is up to him to decide. If he wants to stay I’ll be happy. He’s a good player and a good man.”

Benjani joined City from Portsmouth in January 2008 but has spent long spells on the sidelines with injury and struggled to establish himself in the first team, starting just 21 games in two years.