Is van Buyten still the number one target?

Last updated : 29 January 2003 By Martyn Elliott

He told the Journal that he still hopes to sign Belgian international Daniel van Buyten from French championship challengers Marseille.

"Our interest in him isn't over at all," said Sir Bobby.

"The position is that he's not for sale at a sensible price. Marseille don't want to lose him and were reputedly asking for a ridiculous sum of money. But we'll be keeping an eye on him for the rest of the season."

Meanwhile press reports in Italy suggest that United officials will be in Verona before the end of the week to attempt to capture the signature of Chievo’s Italian international defender Nicola Legrottagtlie in a £9million deal.

Could it be that he is the mystery Italian that Sir Bobby has spoken about?