Portsmouth are in talks with Manchester City over an early settlement for the striker Benjani.

Portsmouth set up the sale of the Zimbabwe striker in a controversial move during the 2008 January transfer window for just under £9million, but the south coast strugglers are prepared to accept a reduced fee if City settle quickly, says the Daily Mail.

City are believed to have paid just over £4m up front when they signed Benjani, with the remainder spread over the length of the player's Eastlands contract.

Instead, Portsmouth are prepared to accept a vastly reduced fee if cash-rich City are willing to pay the balance before the end of this season.