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$1m De Silva bid rejected

$1m De Silva bid rejected
Young Glory star Daniel De Silva. Picture: Michael Wilson / The West Australian.

Perth Glory coach Alistair Edwards is adamant gifted teenager Daniel De Silva isn't going anywhere despite mounting interest from top overseas clubs.

FIFA regulations prevent De Silva from transferring overseas until he turns 18, in March 2015, unless his family relocates with him.

De Silva's family reportedly knocked back an approach from Italian Serie A side Catania last week following rave reviews of the attacking midfielder's progress with Glory and Australian underage teams.

Glory owner Tony Sage was apparently keen to accept the $1 million offer, but De Silva's father would prefer his 16-year-old son to end up in Spain.

De Silva trained with Everton last year and caught the eye of scouts from Inter Milan and Manchester United at a Nike All-Asia Football Camp.

He made international headlines at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in June, becoming Australia's youngest goal scorer.

But Edwards yesterday shut down talk of an overseas move before De Silva's Glory contract is up in 2015.

"In the A-League there are a lot of great young players and they're always going to be attracting interest from top overseas clubs," Edwards said.

"But the fact is with Danny, he's 16 years old and he can't go overseas until he's 18 anyway. He's not going anywhere until he's 18.

"The family are very, very happy in Perth and there's a lot that goes into going overseas. It's got to be the right move. They've got a pretty good environment (here).

"They're trusting of what's happening at the club and with FIFA regulations he won't be able to travel anyway."

De Silva is likely to make his sixth Glory appearance from the bench against Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium tomorrow.

He is yet to make his starting debut and has plenty of work to do before breaking into Edwards' first-choice line-up.

"He's got a lot to do in terms of starting in the A-League and performing regularly, and he knows that," Edwards said.

"I have no doubt there will be more and more offers coming in for the likes of Danny and a lot of younger players in the competition and I think that's a great sign."

Already missing best-XI players Shane Smeltz (hip), Michael Thwaite (hamstring) and Travis Dodd (knee), Glory were dealt a further blow yesterday when winger Ryo Nagai was ruled out of the Newcastle clash with an adductor strain.

Thwaite and Nagai are expected to be available next week, while Smeltz is targeting a return in round four. Edwards has several options to replace Nagai on the flank, with Adrian Zahra and Chris Harold leading the charge.

Both sides are out to make amends after defeats in last weekend's opening round.

"But the fact is with Danny, he's 16 years old and he can't go overseas until he's 18 anyway.""Perth Glory coach *Alistair Edwards *