United midfielder Lee Bowyer is wanted by Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, as well as Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City. But the Athletic still have their noses in front with Souness keen to do a deal involving Danny Murphy.
The 28-year-old will be available for next Saturday's game against Fulham at Craven Cottage, but there could be movement by then, given the three-way tussle developing for his signature.
Souness has admitted that Bowyer is keen to return south after two-and-a-half years on Tyneside, and moving his £35,000-a-week wages off the payroll could give him some leeway in his own transfer business.