Alexander Buttner’s on-off move to Saints could be about to finally collapse.

The 23-year-old left back appeared all set for a switch to St Mary’s a few weeks ago but the transfer hit a stumbling block after a third party claimed they were owed a percentage of the fee, believed to be around £3m.

That has proved a massive stumbling block and it appears from the words of Buttner’s representative that Saints may have finally lost interest, though it could yet be a final bid to try and get them to act for fear of losing a player they so obviously coveted. Buttner, pictured right, was left out of Vitesse Arnhem’s team photo, so certain were his club that he was on the move.

They have signed a replacement and so are keen to sell Buttner but have had to allow him to rejoin their squad, albeit he is training with the reserves. Fulham were also interested in Buttner but the player made it clear he favoured a move to St Mary’s.

The Cottagers may now renew their interest, with German side Hannover also considering a move.

Buttner’s representative, Alexander Busac, said: “At the end, we didn’t come to a deal with Southampton and Vitesse.

“We look ahead and happily there is a lot of interest.

“Hannover and Fulham are very serious.

“Two French clubs have confirmed by mail they are looking to sign Buttner, but haven’t made a bid. Within the next days they will contact Vitesse.”

The potential collapse of the Buttner deal means Nigel Adkins will have to weigh up whether to head into the transfer market for another left back.

Adkins already has last summer’s £1.8m signing Danny Fox at left back, with Sheffield Wednesday linked Dan Harding and young Luke Shaw as cover, while Ryan Dickson is also still on the club’s wage bill.

However, Adkins had two experienced right backs in Frazer Richardson and Danny Butterfield but still moved to add Nathaniel Clyne to the squad.

Buttner made his name with Eredivisie outfit Vitesse at left back but has also played as a winger for the club and at right back, while he came through the ranks at Ajax as a more central attacking player.

The Doetinchem-born player made 107 appearances for Vitesse after making his debut in 2007/08, scoring ten goals in the process, and was part of the provisional Dutch squad for Euro 2012.