I Will Leave Manchester City, Insists Carlos Tevez

City have rejected a written transfer request from the 26-year-old Argentina striker, who is reported to want to depart Eastlands for family reasons.

He stressed that he has “no personal issue” with manager Roberto Mancini.

But Tevez said: “It is something I have felt for some time and have spent many hours thinking this through.”

In a statement, the Manchester City captain – who controversially joined from rivals Manchester United 17 months ago – thanked club owner Sheikh Mansour for his “understanding and support”.

Tevez also revealed he first asked to leave this summer, and claimed he was dissuaded by long-time adviser Kia Joorabchian.

City's hierarchy have pointed the finger at Iranian businessman Joorabchian, describing his actions in relation to Tevez's situation as “disappointing”.

But the player himself stated: “I hugely resent suggestions that I have been unduly influenced by others. I wanted to leave in the summer, but was convinced to return. Sadly, my feelings have not changed.

“I am disappointed that the management should now see fit to try to portray the situation in another light.

“My relationship with certain executives and individuals at the club has broken down and is now beyond repair. I do not wish to expand on this at this stage. They know, because I have told them.”

City have claimed they have done everything in their power to help their highest-paid player, whose two young daughters live in Argentina, deal with his personal issues.

His contract at Eastlands has three-and-half years to run, and City claimed Joorabchian had, in recent months, been pressing for that deal to be improved and extended.

Earlier on Sunday, a statement from the club read: “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.”

Following their 3-1 win at West Ham on Saturday, City are second in the Premier League, level on points with leaders Arsenal but having played one match more.

Tevez has been an integral part of their growing success since joining from rivals Manchester United in the summer of 2009 after a two-year spell at Old Trafford.

During that time, he helped United win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Carling Cup.

The inspirational forward scored 23 goals in his first season at Eastlands, and has netted 10 of their 24 so far in this campaign.

Former City striker Rodney Marsh said the club cannot afford to lose Tevez if they hope to win the title – despite the saving they will make on his apparent wages.

Marsh said he had learnt from a “brilliant source” that Tevez earns £286,000 a week tax free, but he believes the Argentine is worth every penny.

“Carlos Tevez is as great a player playing football today as anybody,” Marsh told BBC Radio 5 live. “He and Gareth Bale are the best two players playing in the Premier League. I would put those two players in a similar category to Lionel Messi.

“Tevez is a popular player and a player for the people. He would be equally at home sitting in the stands as he is on the playing field.”

Former City striker Andy Cole says the current turmoil at the club will scupper their hopes of winning the Premier League title.

“There are a lot of problems there,” said Cole, who scored 10 goals in 23 games for City – and also scored spent six years at Old Trafford playing for rivals United.

“Anyone who has any common sense and understands football knows that. You can't have disputes with the manager at such regular intervals.

“Every other week someone is coming out saying they are not happy. You can't run a tight ship like that. You don't see it at Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea.”

City have stated “the door remains open for Carlos to be selected to play” but with their disaffected star seemingly determined to leave the club, his continuing selection may prove to be problematic for Mancini.

Tevez, who was suspended for the trip to his former club West Ham, is due to return from a break in Tenerife on Tuesday.

It remains to be seen whether he will feature in Manchester City's next match, away to Juventus in the Europa League on Thursday.

Mancini's men then face Everton in the Premier League on 20 December ahead of a trip to Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Tevez smashes home spectacular third