Leyton Orient have been accused of being disrespectful over the transfer of Connor Essam.

The O's announced the signing of the defender for an undisclosed fee in a one-year deal on Monday. But Dover have since confirmed no fee has been agreed and they are due compensation because they offered him a contract and Essam is under the age of 24.

The final transfer fee is almost certainly going to be decided by an FA tribunal but Dover believe Orient have jumped the gun in announcing the signing.

It is understood Dover want £20,000 for the defender but Orient are believed to have offered £5,000 up front with another £5,000 if they win promotion. 

Dover chairman Jim Parmenter told BBC Radio Kent: "We had brief communication from Orient two weeks ago about compensation, but we were not satisfied and did not accept the offer they made.

"We have heard no more. It is a matter of them agreeing a suitable amount with us or agreeing we will go to tribunal. Neither of those things have happened yet so they are a little bit forward in announcing they have signed him.

"They are a professional club and know the rules. I think they are treating Dover with a little bit of disrespect."

Parmenter added: "We haven't asked for anything which is unreasonable - it is just we haven't come to an agreement," he said.

"It seems unsatisfactory that Orient haven't bothered to talk to us again."