ZIMBABWE international striker Benjani Mwaruwari yesterday said he
is eager to leave his French club AJ Auxerre, during the January transfer window after a fall out
with coach Jaques Santini.
This comes amid reports that French giants Olympique Marseille have joined the race to sign the
27-year-old striker, but his club does not want him to leave.
The former Grasshoppers forward has also attracted interest from English Premiership’s
Newcastle United and Germany Bundesliga side Borrusia Dortmund.
Speaking from his base, the Warriors marksman said
that he is frustrated at Stade Abbe Deschamps.
“I had a problem with the coach, although he maintains I don’t have a problem with him.
I have not been playing regularly. I just want to move from this club."
“Things have not been going well for me here of late. I don’t care which club signs me
for as long as I leave Auxerre. I want to sort out this transfer before we go Egypt
for the African Cup of Nations finals. But I don’t want to mess up things before
Zimbabwe come here for the training camp,” said the robust striker. Marseille confirmed interest in Mwaruwari.
L’OM president Pape Diouf said Benjani is on their list of transfer targets.
“Benjani is part of the list of players that we have targeted to reinforce our offensive sector.
Benjani has a lot of technical qualities.
“He has an interesting offensive presence. I contacted the Auxerre leaders and they did not close the door,” Diouf told the French press.
But Auxerre chairman Jean-Claude Hamel cooled the talk.
“It is out of the question. Benjani won’t leave neither this week nor during the winter transfer window.
“Contrary to what some people believe, it won’t happen. Our team is playing well,
so we won’t weaken it. We already have enough trouble during the African Cup of Nations,” said Hamel.
Mwaruwari is set to host the Warriors at his base before they fly out to Egypt for the continental finals.
He said: “So far so good. My agent is a Cameroonian and he has spoken to The Indomitable Lions who are willing
to play us here.
“I’m happy that the government has taken an initiative to support the team financially.
“It shows that everyone is being involved right from the start unlike in the past.
“We should not have financial problems because they disturb our concentration.”
He was referring to the government’s initiative to launch a Warriors Fund, which will raise
at least $65 billion needed for the tournament.
