Michael Johnson has reportedly been released from his contract by champions Manchester City.
Having broken into the City senior side at the age of 18, 24-year-old Johnson had been tipped to become a future England international.
However, a succession of injuries and problems off the pitch have resulted in the midfielder not appearing for City since a League Cup tie against Scunthorpe United in October 2009.
City manager Roberto Mancini has since lost patience with Johnson and the club have offered him a severance package from his £40,000-a-week contract, according to The Guardian.
Johnson was once the subject of a reported £10m offer from Liverpool.
