One Man City career might have ended after medal snub on final day

When Manchester City took on West Ham in September, there was a curious incident before kick-off.

As the players had shaken hands and were preparing to line up for the game, West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta jogged over to the benches. But not his home bench, City's.

Paqueta shook hands with Pep Guardiola, who had just taken his seat. The Brazilian also shook the hand of assistant Juanma Lillo before the no.10 took part in the game. He was greeted warmly by the Blues bench.

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City had explored the chance to sign Paqueta in the summer, but his investigation by the FA for potential betting breaches quickly put a stop to things. The risk of a ban was too much, as Sandro Tonali has shown with his own ten month suspension. City signed Matheus Nunes instead.

Nunes hasn't set the world alight yet, and it took time for Mateo Kovacic to find his role in the team. Kevin De Bruyne spent half the season injured and there are some rumours over his future, while there will always be speculation over Bernardo Silva's transfer status. There is every chance City return to the market for an attacking midfielder this term.

Guardiola has never spoken of City's interest in Paqueta, declining to do so at the start of the season because he is contracted by West Ham. He named the Brazilian as a threat, praising his qualities in the build-up to Sunday's final day decider against the Hammers. Before anyone reads too much into that, however, Guardiola also highlighted half a dozen of his teammates to emphasise the task facing City.

Paqueta has