Ernesto Valverde plays down transfer rumours

Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde has insisted that he pays no attention to speculation linking a number of his players with various European sides.

Bilbao have been the surprise package of the season in La Liga, with 50 points from their 26 matches leaving them in fourth position in the table.

However, Valverde has played down suggestions that the Basque outfit are in a vulnerable position in the transfer market.

"We're in an age when there's always rumours," he told reporters at a press conference.

"It seems like Manchester United want to buy one half of La Liga and Bayern Munich, the other half.

"They're just shots in the air from journalists, so that if they ever happen, they can turn around and say: 'I told you so'."

Bilbao travel to Valencia in the league on Sunday.