Fans spot deliberate Lucas Paqueta gesture towards Man City bench after failed transfer

West Ham star Lucas Paqueta made a point by going over to hug Pep Guardiola before the Hammers played Manchester City on Saturday.

West Ham fans watched as Paqueta made his way over to the City bench before a ball had even been kicked on Saturday afternoon at the London Stadium.

Paqueta made his way over to the City bench

Before hugging Guardiola and then greeting his assistant Lillo

The Brazilian first shook Guardiola’s hand before hugging him, also greeting City’s assistant coach Juanma Lillo.

And West Ham fans were not pleased to see one of their players make the gesture before kick-off.

One fan said on Twitter: “Paqueta running over to Guardiola to beg friend before kick off. Pathetic.”

Another wrote: “Why did paqueta shake peps hand like that ffs.”

And a third said: “Paqueta begging it to the Man City bench. No respect.”

It comes after City tried to sign the West Ham in the summer, launching a £70million offer to prise him away from east London.

But the bid was rejected by the Hammers despite Paqueta telling the club he would like to move to the Etihad.

City then dropped their interest after Paqueta became the subject of an FA betting investigation.

Paqueta raced over to the City bench to hug Guardiola

Instead, they made a move for Matheus Nunes from Wolves, eventually landing their man after the midfielder went on strike.

The Portugal international signed for £53m, helping alleviate the problematic midfield left behind by Kevin de Bruyne’s injury.

The Belgian has been ruled out until next year with an injury in a hefty blow to City’s efforts to reclaim the Premier League.

West Ham, meanwhile, kept their man while also adding Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse to their midfield.

However, how long they can keep Paqueta remains to be seen as, though a move to City now looks unlikely.