Manchester City have rejected a transfer request from Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez, the Barclays Premier League club have confirmed.
The Eastlands club have also expressed their disappointment at the 'actions of his representative' over the matter.
The relationship between Tevez and City manager Roberto Mancini has reportedly deteriorated in recent weeks although the player is understood to be unhappy at being apart from his two daughters, who live in Argentina.
Carlos Tevez wants to quit Manchester City: Troubled striker hands in transfer request
Target man: Carlos Tevez (left) has scored 39 goals in 60 games for City
A statement from the club read: 'Itis with disappointment that we confirm to our supporters that CarlosTevez has submitted a written transfer request. The club can alsoconfirm that the request has been rejected.
'The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos' representative.
'Roberto Mancini and all at the clubhave shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos' personalcircumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas.
'Indeed following his suspension asa result of the game against Bolton, Carlos requested, and was given,special dispensation by the manager to take leave overseas.
'The written transfer request is in stark contrast to Carlos' stated position in both public and club contexts.
'Significantly, over recent months,the club has also received numerous requests from Carlos'representative to renegotiate and improve his playing contract as wellas more recently a request to extend that contract by another year.'
The statement, on the club'sofficial website, continued: 'However, in line with the club's policyof not negotiating playing contracts mid-season this has not beengranted.
Flashpoint: Carlos Tevez, left, clashes with manager Roberto Mancini after being substituted against Bolton
'Carlos' current five-year contracthas three and a half years to run and he is the highest paid player atthe Manchester City Football Club.
'This is both an unfortunate andunwelcome distraction and the club will remain focused on the gamesahead in what is turning out to be a very promising season. The doorremains open for Carlos to be selected to play.
With Tevez known to desperately misshis two daughters who are back home in Argentina, returning to SouthAmerica is one option, as is retirement, even though in an interviewwith City's official club magazine published earlier this week, Tevezinsisted he had no such intention.
There is also the deterioratingrelationship with Blues boss Mancini. The Italian may have made Tevezhis captain at the start of the season but there is no particular bondbetween the pair.
A short break in Argentina didlittle to silence rumours about them both not getting on while Tevez'sreaction after he was substituted against Bolton last week was not thatof a man who is at one with his manager.
No love lost: Tevez clashes with Manchester United's Rafael last month
The pair exchanged angry words onthe touchline, with Tevez clearly annoyed at Mancini's decision toreplace him with James Milner despite the fact he had scored the onlygoal. Subsequently, Tevez did not attend the players' Christmas party.
If Tevez does leave, it will blow amassive hole in City's Premier League title challenge. Although thestriker missed Saturday's win at West Ham due to suspension, he hasbeen a hugely influential figure for the Blues since his controversialmove from Manchester United in 18 months ago.
His winner against Bolton was his39th goal in 60 appearances for the Blues, emphasising just how muchthey rely upon his output.
As doubts remain over the maturityof Mario Balotelli in the wake of the Italian's petulant reaction tobeing substituted for his own good at Upton Park and Emmanuel Adebayorseemingly destined to leave in January after failing to make the benchagainst West Ham, losing Tevez would be a massive blow.
It would also be unpopular among theCity faithful, who have taken the 26-year-old to their hearts and wouldbe distraught if Tevez was merely moving on to another club.
At present, it is uncertain whetherthat will be the case, although there are only a select few in Europewho could afford the player if City were to demand the full market rate.
Tevez's controversial third-partyownership status - that caused West Ham so many problems when hearrived in England in 2005 - has now been scrapped, meaning that Citycould demand any fee they wish.
Carlos Tevez wants to quit Manchester City: Troubled striker hands in transfer requestCarlos Tevez is paying a high price for his troubled private lifeMANCHESTER CITY FC
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail