Van Buyten confirms Souness talks

Van Buyten played six times for Manchester City in 2004

Belgian international defender Daniel van Buyten confirmed that Graeme Souness had approached him about a possible move to Newcastle.

"I have spoken to Graeme and he said he wants me and five or six others," Van Buyten, 27, told Sky Sports' website.

"He said next season Newcastle will go for the Champions League. He also said they will try for the league title."

Van Buyten's agent Christophe Henrotay has said the Hamburg player would consider a move to St James' Park.

"Newcastle are looking for a central defender and he is a very good one, so why not move to England?" he told BBC Sport.

"Newcastle are a top club in England though they had a bad season, and the Premier League is the Premier League.

"Daniel is still under contract so it's difficult to talk about a transfer, but England would be a good move.

"The Premiership is a very interesting league, one of the best in the world.

"But he will not go looking for a move. He's only just got to Hamburg, he's the captain and was just named in the Bundesliga team of the year as well."

Van Buyten, 27, currently plays for Hamburg but had a loan spell with Manchester City two seasons ago.

He moved to Hamburg on a four-year contract last summer and captained the side last season.

The player added: "I do not know yet if I will even leave Hamburg, but they are not in Europe next season and I want to play in the Champions League, that is my ambition."