Football: Le Tissier to stay: Saints keep their captain

THE FUTURE of Matthew Le Tissier, the England international, was temporarily settled yesterday when he pledged his future to Southampton by signing a new three-year deal at The Dell.

Le Tissier's excellent close to the season had fuelled speculation that he would leave for a bigger-spending club with Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers the front-runners.

'My main ambition as a youngster was to play for England,' Le Tissier said. 'Now I've achieved that as a Southampton player I see no need to leave and play somewhere else to get myself noticed. I love it around here. I wouldn't have agreed to a new contract if I didn't honestly believe this club is going places.'

Dalian Atkinson, however, looks certain to move. He has emerged as a pounds 2m target for Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool yesterday signed the 19-year-old Michael Steensgaard, Denmark's Under-21 international goalkeeper, from Hvidovre for an undisclosed fee.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an offer for Ian Taylor, the Port Vale midfielder, who also interests West Ham and Sheffield Wednesday. The transfer chase for Ronnie Whelan, the Republic of Ireland midfielder, is proving competitive with West Bromwich Albion joining the hunt.

Barry Fry, the Birmingham manager, has admitted he has had no offers for the 13 players he made available for transfer.