• Premier League

Southampton bid for Buttner stalls

ESPN staff
July 10, 2012
Alexander Buttner was thought to have agreed a deal to join Southampton © Getty Images
Enlarge

Vitesse Arnhem say defender Alexander Buttner's proposed move to Southampton, which appeared to have been wrapped up last week, has stalled.

Vitesse said the transfer was now "uncertain" after an intervention by a third party, but stressed that no blame for the situation could be attached to the newly-promoted Saints.

Buttner, 23, had visited Southampton for talks and agreed terms, but an Arnhem statement said: "The transfer of Alexander Buttner to Southampton FC is now uncertain.

"Last Friday, Vitesse came to an agreement with Southampton about the transfer of Alexander Buttner. Because Buttner agreed his personal terms with Southampton, Vitesse made the supposition that the transfer was a fact.

"However, this weekend the player informed Vitesse via his agent that a third party had a supplementary demand towards the club. Vitesse made it clear to the player that it would not comply with that demand, since it was applied in retrospect and Vitesse will not be pressurised."

The club said it was "disappointed about the course of things" and had "tried all possibilities to keep the deal going through".

Buttner came through the ranks at Arnhem, making 107 appearances for the club until the end of last season. He was named in the provisional Netherlands squad for Euro 2012, but did not end up travelling to the tournament.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close