I was banned from playing for Man City by the Government - it was like being stabbed

In a world where multi-million pound transfers are scrutinised to the most minute detail, some collapsing on technicalities, it is an anomaly that Manchester City spent around £10m on a player who was not allowed to play for them.

Hopes were high for Vasco de Gama teenager Douglas Luiz in 2017, with Pep Guardiola keen to integrate him as part of his squad. Luiz even went on City's pre-season tour of the USA in 2018, impressing the manager and offering a different option in defensive midfield.

But there was an issue bubbling away in the background, preventing Luiz from being a part of City's plans for the future. It had been expected he would be granted a UK work permit, but Home Office rules at the time prevented non-EU players who aren't established internationals from getting permission to move to the UK, especially if they are not going to be regulars in the Premier League.

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Guardiola himself wrote to the Home Office in support of Luiz, as did Brazil manager Tite who confirmed the player was part of his future plans. But without a Brazil cap Luiz was left in limbo, unable to represent the club who had just spent millions to bring him to England. A loan to City's sister-club Girona followed, with the hope of resolving the situation in future.

Premier League and FA rules say clubs must provide evidence of a player's eligibility to take employment in the UK before that player can be registered, with the Home Office using a 'points-based system' in conjunction with the FA to make such decisions. Luiz fell short of the