Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in personal plea for Douglas Luiz work permit but left frustrated by rejection

Guardiola had hoped that Luiz would be able to provide cover for Fernandinho

Manchester City have been left frustrated after the Football Association rejected a work permit application for Douglas Luiz just three hours before the transfer deadline.

Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday that Douglas, a 20-year-old midfielder who signed from Vasco da Gama for £10.7m last year, had been refused the right to play in this country.

City lack cover in their squad for the 33-year-old Fernandinho, who plays at the base of Guardiola’s midfield. Jorginho, the former Napoli player, was targeted this summer and would have provided an alternative yet chose to join Chelsea.

Guardiola decided against moving for another midfield target as Douglas was deemed good enough to provide cover for Fernandinho, but always required the youngster to obtain a work permit.

It is understood that Guardiola recorded a video for the FA – having even offered to make a personal appearance – in support of Douglas’ application, explaining how important the player’s role would be and how he would be used tactically.

Tite, the Brazil head coach, also recorded a video hailing Douglas’ ability. The former Arsenal midfielder Edu, now the Brazil national team’s general co-ordinator, sent a positive report to support City’s claim.

English football’s governing body, however, declined the application on Thursday, just a few hours before the close of the Premier League’s transfer window and leaving City stunned and without adequate midfield cover.

“He’s not allowed,” Guardiola said when asked about Douglas’ situation on Friday. “We are going to try to help him to go on loan again and try to get the work permit. It’s so difficult for me to understand.

“One guy who doesn’t see the player or any training sessions every day has to judge if [Douglas] has the ability and quality to play. I accept the rules but I don’t understand because anybody in the world can work wherever he wants.

“The manager from Brazil and myself know more than the guys who decide he is not able to play. I am so sad and disappointed for Douglas because he could help us, play with us.”

Douglas spent last season on loan at Girona, one of the six City Football Group clubs, but the young midfielder struggled for regular playing time and made just one La Liga start. It is understood this counted against his application.

“He has shown many good things in training sessions and the reason why we spent a lot of money to buy him [£10.7m] is because he is a player with a huge capacity to play with us,” Guardiola added.

Douglas Luiz spent last season on loan at Girona in La Liga (Getty)

“We decided on the work permit because we believe he can play... When we decided to keep him for Manchester City, it is because we believe he has the capacity. They didn’t know him, not one game, not one training session, to know if he can play or not.

“I don’t understand but we’re in England and you have to accept it. I would have preferred it if it wasn’t announced yesterday [Thursday].

“If they decide the rules are the rules, let me know 15 days ago and maybe we can decide what we can do but one day before and you decide he can’t play because I don’t know, he not tall enough, doesn’t play enough, games in the past or something like that? Ok.”