Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez claims club owner Sheikh Mansour has told him he can leave Eastlands if he wants to – and says he never plans to return to the area after his contract expires in 2014.
The 27-year-old, who joined City from rivals Manchester United in 2009, said he cannot continue to live in the north west without his two daughters.
The Argentina captain helped City finish third in the Premier League last season and qualify for the Champions League for the first time.
Currently playing for Argentina in the Copa America, Tevez spoke to City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak to explain his decision.
“It is with great regret that I have to inform Manchester City of my wish to leave the club,” the striker said in Monday’s statement.
“I would like to state that I have great respect for the club, its supporters and the owner Sheikh Mansoor, who has been nothing other than respectful to me.
“I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under the past 12 months, in regards to my family.
“Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me. Everything I do, I do for my daughters, Katie and Florencia. I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them.”
Tevez, who signed a five-year contract with City following a £25.5m move from Old Trafford, thanked the club’s hierarchy for their support and asked for fans to empathise with his personal predicament.
Tevez also lifted the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Stoke at Wembley in May, City’s first trophy in 35 years.
However, his relationship with Mancini had already been fractured when he submitted a transfer request at Eastlands in December last year, which was later withdrawn.
Tevez’s estranged partner could not settle in Manchester and returned to Argentina with their two daughters Katie and Florencia, but a move to Spain or Italy could persuade his family to return to Europe.
