Manchester City have rejected a transfer request from Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez, the 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.
A statement from the club read: "It is with disappointment that we confirm to our supporters that Carlos Tevez has submitted a written transfer request. The club can also confirm 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 club have shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos' personal circumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas.
"Indeed following his suspension as a 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 well as more recently a request to extend that contract by another year."
The statement, on the club's official website www.mcfc.co.uk, continued: "However, in line with the club's policy of not negotiating playing contracts mid-season this has not been granted.
"Carlos' current five-year contract has three and a half years to run and he is the highest paid player at the Manchester City Football Club.
"This is both an unfortunate and unwelcome distraction and the club will remain focused on the games ahead in what is turning out to be a very promising season. The door remains open for Carlos to be selected to play."
With Tevez known to desperately miss his two daughters who are back home in Argentina, returning to South America is one option, as is retirement, even though in an interview with City's official club magazine published earlier this week, Tevez insisted he had no such intention.
There is also the deteriorating relationship with Blues boss Mancini.
The Italian may have made Tevez his captain at the start of the season but there is no particular bond between the pair.
A short break in Argentina did little to silence rumours about them both not getting on while Tevez's reaction after he was substituted against Bolton last week was not that of a man who is at one with his manager.
The pair exchanged angry words on the touchline, with Tevez clearly annoyed at Mancini's decision to replace him with James Milner despite the fact he had scored the only goal.
Subsequently, Tevez did not attend the players' Christmas party.
If Tevez does leave, it will blow a massive hole in City's Premier League title challenge.
Although the striker missed yesterday's win at West Ham due to suspension, he has been a hugely influential figure for the Blues since his controversial move from Manchester United in 18 months ago.
His winner against Bolton was his 39th goal in 60 appearances for the Blues, emphasising just how much they rely upon his output.
As doubts remain over the maturity of Mario Balotelli in the wake of the Italian's petulant reaction to being substituted for his own good at Upton Park and Emmanuel Adebayor seemingly destined to leave in January after failing to make the bench against West Ham, losing Tevez would be a massive blow.
It would also be unpopular among the City faithful, who have taken the 26-year-old to their hearts and would be distraught if Tevez was merely moving on to another club.
At present, it is uncertain whether that will be the case, although there are only a select few in Europe who could afford the player if City were to demand the full market rate.
Tevez's controversial third-party ownership status - that caused West Ham so many problems when he arrived in England in 2005 - has now been scrapped, meaning that City could demand any fee they wish.
