TRANSFER GOSSIP

Last updated : 09 February 2003 By Editor

Daniel Van Buyten will become a Manchester United player in the summer.

The defender's French club Olympique Marseille have privately agreed an undisclosed fee with the Premiership title-chasers believed to be in the region of £10million.

Sir Alex Ferguson initially moved for the Belgian international during the January transfer window to stave off growing interest in the 24-year-old.

In capturing Van Buyten, United have seen off stiff competition from home and abroad.

Newcastle and Arsenal had watched the defender at close quarters, while Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan and European champions Real Madrid were also widely tipped to move in for the Belgian star.

Ironically the capture of Van Buyten has been achieved from under the noses of United's Champions League opponents Juventus.

The Italians thought they had reached an agreement with Marseille for the player last April after opening official talks with the club's sporting director Bernard Tapie.

That confirmation eventually came when Van Buyten went public and said he was flattered by United's interest and it would be difficult to turn them down if they came calling.

Meanwhile in Italy Ryan Giggs is being repeatedly linked with Inter Milan despite Giggs and Inter both denying the story. Many journo's claim Inter will bid around £13 million in the summer.