Stoke City have insisted that midfielder Steven N'Zonzi had put in a written transfer request before the departure of manager Tony Pulis.
It had been suggested that N'Zonzi had made the decision after Pulis left the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday, but the Potters have confirmed that the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder had already expressed his desire to leave the club.
A club statement said: "Stoke can confirm the club has rejected a written transfer request from midfielder Steven N'Zonzi.
"Contrary to reports, the French midfielder tabled his request earlier this week before the departure of Tony Pulis from the Britannia Stadium.
"The club intend to make no further comment on this matter."
The 24-year-old only joined Stoke last summer.
