Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness has revealed he is keen on Portsmouth striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

The Nigeria international has attracted plenty of attention ths season on teh back of some impressive performances for Portsmouth.

Pompey would be reluctant sellers but they concede Yakubu is available for the right price – believed to be a minimum of £10 million.

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has admitted that he is interested in signing Yakubu.

“Yakubu is one of several players who do interest me,” Souness told the Evening Chronicle.

“It’s no secret that we have to replace the top man at the end of the season and whoever comes in is going to have a monumental task to fill one of his boots, never mind both.

“Whether that’s Yakubu, or whoever comes in, it’s a difficult job.”

Souness also admitted that he hopes to persuade club captain Alan Shearer to delay his retirement – planned for the end of this season – for another year.

“We have to fear the worst but we’ll stay at him,” he added.

“When he looks in a good mood I’ll be bending his ear and when he looks in a bad mood I’m not going to speak to him!”