The agent looking after Gareth Bale has insisted the Welsh international will not leave during the transfer window.

But David Manasseh, the managing director of the Stellar Group, refused to comment on the offer of a new 12-month contract for the 17-year-old starlet.

Manasseh took time out from a holiday in South Africa to tell the Daily Echo that Bale is happy to remain at St Mary's beyond the end of the transfer window.

Ironically, Manasseh was Wayne Bridge's agent when the England international left Saints for Chelsea for £7m three and a half years ago.

But he was adamant that Saints' latest star left-back wants to help the club return to the Premiership - despite bids from Manchester United and Spurs.

Manasseh said: "I don't know what all the fuss is about.

"Gareth has got 18 months left on his contract, George Burley said he's going nowhere and Gareth wants to stay at Southampton, he's happy there."

Bale may be happy to remain a Saint in the short term but Manasseh's reluctance to talk about the offer of a new 12-month contract extension will spark fears he will not sign.

If Bale does not sign, it could give the Saints board an excuse to sell him this month before his value drops in the summer.

Bale's value may depreciate from around the £7-8m mark this month to £5m at the end of the season, when he would only have 12 months remaining on his present contract.

George Burley, meanwhile, insisted there was "no change" in Bale's situation.

Burley is desperate to keep hold of the Welsh international, who is key to the club's promotion hopes.

"There's no change in the situation whatsoever," said Burley. "We've said all along we want to keep Gareth as long as possible and nothing's changed.

"I spoke to Gareth's parents and Gareth himself last week and they're pleased as punch at the way things are progressing.

"That was nice to hear from his parents.

"We want to keep Gareth for a long time.

"His progress has been great but he's still only 17 and he's still got a long way to go, but we're very pleased with how he's been playing."

Full story: See today's Daily Echo