The World Game has learned Maclaren and his management originally asked the club's management to agree to a release, without the need for the players' union - Professional Footballers Australia - to become involved, but that this was denied.
Maclaren has now officially requested a release and it is understood the request is based on the belief the club has breached a "material, non-financial" clause in the standard player contract as a result of Perth having been penalised for cheating the salary cap.
A spokesperson for the PFA confirmed it was acting on Maclaren's behalf.
Melbourne-born Maclaren, who is a key member of the Olyroos side that is bidding to qualify for next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, would be a natural target for numerous A-League clubs looking for a genuine striker, but he could also attract offers from overseas.
It remains to be seen how Perth responds to his official request for a release.
Perth was barred from competing in the finals and dropped to seventh on the A-League table, also eliminating any chance the team had of qualifying for next year's AFC Asian Champions League.
It has been known for a while that some players who were angry at the club because of the salary cap drama have been considering asking for a release from the remainder of their contracts.
The World Game spoke to PFA chief executive Adam Vivian last month and he said any player who wished to challenge his club over a material, non-financial breach would first have to give the club 21 days to remedy it.
At the time, TWG put it to Vivian that, unlike a financial breach of contract that can be remedied, there was no apparent way Perth could remedy the players missing out on the finals and losing the chance to qualify for the ACL.
"At this stage, yes, I think that's a fair assumption, however the process would be that you've still got to afford the club the opportunity to respond," Vivian replied.
"They've got to be afforded every opportunity to go through a process, so whilst it may be considered that they can't remedy it under the circumstances, they still have to be afforded the opportunity."
Maclaren, 21, spent most of the season on the bench at Glory, behind Irish striker Andy Keogh.
He was promoted to the starting side towards the end of the season, playing alongside Keogh, and finished with a flurry of goals.
All up, Maclaren scored nine goals in his 20 games, only seven of which he started. He was the equal-sixth highest goal-scorer in the competition.
In an on-pitch television interview after a game near the end of the season, Maclaren said he had become frustrated by his lack of game-time this season.
