Transfer news: Tottenham weigh up loan move for Manchester United's Alexander Buttner - reports

Report in the Netherlands claim an approach has been made

Alexander Buttner could be on his way to Tottenham (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham Hotspur will attempt to take Manchester United left-back Alexander Buttner on loan until the end of the season in January, with a view to making the deal permanent if he is a success - according to reports in the Netherlands.

Buttner was signed from Vitesse Arnhem for £5m in August 2012, but has failed to displace Patrice Evra as the club's first-choice left-back. He has only made five Premier League starts for United.

The Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf have reported that Spurs have made an initial approach for the 24-year-old, who has yet to be capped at senior international level for the Netherlands.

With Benoit Assou-Ekotto out on loan at Queens Park Rangers, and versatile centre-back Jan Vertonghen injured, Buttner could compete with Danny Rose for the left-back berth at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham have been seeking a left-sided defender in recent transfer windows, and reportedly failed to sign Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao during the summer.