LEICESTER manager Martin O'Neill aimed a parting shot at Simon Grayson yesterday after his shock transfer to Aston Villa.
The out-of-contract defender, turned down a new deal at Filbert Street to join former manager Brian Little on a three-year deal which has angered O'Neill.
"We offered him an extremely good contract and we thought we were very close to an agreement," O'Neill said. "This has come totally out of the blue and I am very disappointed. But if he wants to join Villa it's his prerogative."
Leicester will demand around £1.5 million for the 27-year-old, who will be back at Filbert Street with Villa for the opening match of the season on August 9th.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United will not budge over their compensation demands following Howard Kendall's departure to Everton. The Yorkshire club are demanding £1 million for the loss of Kendall, who had signed a new deal in January and had two years to run on his contract.
United chief executive Charles Green said: "We do not know how long this will take but we're determined to press our case to the full.
"Howard Kendall may be at Everton today, but legally he is still an employee of Sheffield United. We've received no letter of resignation from him."
England midfielder Matthew Le Tissier has, signed a new four-year contract with Southampton.
The deal ties Le Tissier (28), to Southampton until the end of the 2000-2001 season and ends speculation of a big-money transfer.
In Scotland, Celtic goalkeeper Stewart Kerr has pleaded for a swift end to the waiting game for the club's new head coach.
On a day when former England boss Bobby Robson, the fans' favourite to be installed in the Parkhead hot seat, insisted he will be remaining at Barcelona, Kerr admitted that the players are in limbo.
"We are as anxious as the supporters that a man is appointed to the job as quickly as possible," said Kerr after the second day of the club's pre-season training.
Celtic depart next Tuesday for a 10-day training camp in Holland before next month's four-team tournament in Dublin.
