Overnight reports in a number of British papers suggest that Manchester United are very close to announcing the signing of Dutch left-back, Alexander Buttner, for a fee of approximately £3.9 million from Eredivise outfit Vitesse Arnhem.
Both the Guardian and the Mail Online have stated that terms have been agreed between Manchester United and Vitesse regarding the player’s transfer, with both sources expecting Buttner to travel to Manchester over the next day to complete a medical and agree personal terms with the club.
A 23 year old full back, who has yet to be capped by Holland, Buttner will come into the squad to provide cover for Patrice Evra, with young Fabio Da Silva spending the season on loan at Queens Park Rangers.
The Mail quotes Buttner as saying:
“If you had told me one week ago that I would be training with and playing for the same team as Robin van Persie, I would have sent you to a mental home!
“This is crazy stuff, beyond all my dreams. I am looking forward to this challenge so much. I am so proud and so glad that it has worked out like this.
“I’m so glad that it has happened and everything has turned out like this. This is really a dream come true.”
The move has been met with some surprise in Holland, after the only clubs seemingly interested in bringing Buttner to the Premier League before Manchester United were Southampton, who had also agreed a deal with Vitesse only for the deal to fall through for unknown reasons.
Buttner’s preferred position is left back, but it is also understood that he can play on the right side of defence.
Despite his relatively young age, Buttner is a player of considerable senior experience, and he has already made 107 senior league appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals in the process.
Overnight reports also link United with a loan move for Real Madrid outcast and former European champion, Kaka.
