Mwaruwari keen on Portsmouth move

By Piers Edwards

Mwaruwari has found life difficult at Auxerre under Jacques Santini

Zimbabwe international Benjani Mwaruwari is interested in leaving French side Auxerre for Portsmouth.

The 27-year-old has been linked with the Premiership club, whose manager Harry Redknapp revealed earlier this week that Mwaruwari may be a target.

"I was talking to my agent and he told me Portsmouth, Wigan and Marseille have been making enquiries about me," the Zimbabwean told BBC Sport on Tuesday.

"Portsmouth and Marseille are showing the greater interest."

Mwaruwari added: "There is nothing on the table as yet. We are just waiting to hear."

The forward is desperate to leave high-flying Auxerre, who lie fourth in Ligue 1, and would prefer to join Premiership strugglers Portsmouth than fellow French side Marseille.

"Portsmouth would be best for me because I speak English but I am still struggling with my French," he explained.

"It would be great if I can strike a deal before the Nations Cup."

Zimbabwe name Nations Cup squad

On Tuesday, Mwaruwari was named in Zimbabwe's 23-man squad for the forthcoming finals in Egypt, which kick off on 20 January.

The tall Zimbabwean has found life difficult at Auxerre since Jacques Santini replaced Guy Roux, who stepped down after 44 years in charge, as coach in June 2005.

Once an automatic choice, Mwaruwari has started just 11 of Auxerre's 19 league matches this season.

"I was enjoying my time here before Santini replaced Roux," he explained.

"But you know how it is when a new coach comes in and wants to change everything - and that's the way things have been here.

"Santini says he has nothing against me but I think it's unfair - I think I should move."

"Although I signed a four-year contract four months ago, I think the Auxerre board wants to sell me."

Mwaruwari has scored 19 goals in 72 league games for Auxerre and was a hero in their 2005 French Cup triumph, scoring in the 2-1 defeat of Sedan in the final.