Valencia turn down Silva bid: agent

      LONDON (AFP) - Spanish club Valencia have turned down a bid from English and European champions Manchester United for their star striker David Silva, his agent claimed on Tuesday.

      Reports had suggested that Valencia were set to sell some of their stars in order to ease their financial problems, with United linked with a 20-million-pound (38-million-dollar) bid for the 22-year-old Spaniard.

      "Manchester United made an offer for David Silva, but this has been turned down by Valencia," Silva's agent Julio Llorente told Sky Sports News.

      "Silva doesn't want to play in England because he is happy at Valencia.

      "His family are settled and if he was to move it would only be to another Spanish club, like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

      "David Silva will start the new season at Valencia."