Manchester City has taken the unusual step today of issuing a statement regarding recent transfer speculation concerning Micah Richards.

City’s Head of Communications, Paul Tyrrell, said: “There was a claim in a national newspaper this morning that Micah had submitted a transfer request to the Club. This is totally and completely untrue.

“To make such an inaccurate claim is an appalling abuse of a newspaper’s power and the Club has made representations to the offending tabloid in the strongest possible terms.

“If we do not receive a correction to this story, the Club will be making an official complaint to the Press Complaints Commission.

“For the record, Micah has not submitted a transfer request. He is not for sale and is happy at Manchester City. We are looking to extend his contract here at this football club.”