Hamburg have revealed that they have turned down an approach from Spanish side Valencia for star midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.Club captain van der Vaart endured a chequered season for the Bundesliga outfit last term, missing much of the early stages through injury, but returning to inspire the team to a late charge to seventh place in the league and a place in Europe.

The 24-year-old Holland international has been attracting attention from a host of elite European clubs over the summer, and on Monday Hamburg vice-chairman Dietmar Beiersdorfer confirmed that Valencia had tabled a bid for the talented playmaker.

Beiersdorfer said: "We got an offer from Valencia on Monday.

"We communicated to Valencia that we will not sell Rafael - it is not a part of our planning."

Media reports suggest that the Primera Liga club have offered 14million euros for the player, but Beiersdorfer refused to confirm or deny that rumour, adding that it was the club's intention to retain van der Vaart's services.

"In addition I cannot say anything," Beiersdorfer replied when asked about the value of Valencia's offer.

"That is not important. We always said that we will not sell Rafael van der Vaart at the current time."

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