City have tried, unsuccessfully, to buy out the sell-on clause they agreed with Oldham when they signed the 18-year-old from the Latics' academy in 2002.

But they deny Richards has handed in a transfer request and a club spokesman said: "Micah is not for sale.

"He is happy here and we are are looking to extend his contract."

Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with Richards, who is under contract with City until 2008.

He signed his first professional deal in June 2005 but his current wages do not reflect the impact he made when he came into the first-team picture at Eastlands last season and he has been offered a new deal.