Southampton join QPR and Fulham in Buttner race

The chase to secure the signature of Vitesse Arnhem's Alexander Buttner is hotting up after Nigel Adkins' Southampton have entered the fray.

Buttner, a left back, visited London during the week, taking a look at the setups at both Fulham and QPR. "That was very impressive," he said.

"Everything was arranged very professionally and the people were very warm."

However, since a deal with either club has yet to be concluded, it is thought that Premier League newcomers Southampton will place a bid and try and tempt the 23 year-old. As it stands, Fulham boss Martin Jol is thought to have bid £1.6 million, while QPR and Southampton would come in at a similar amount. With only one year left on his contract, the fee is unlikely to rise.

Werder Bremen are said to hold an interest in the player too, and Buttner himself said that both the Bundesliga and the Premier League interests him.

"The Premier League or the Bundesliga, both are fantastic leagues. At the moment I can't say more, I have to wait.

"I still have one year left on my Vitesse deal, so a new club first has to agree on a transfer fee."