Half of the £250,000 Premier League trophy was stolen by thieves in Belgium at an event two years ago and had to be replaced, according to reports.
The English top-flight silverware is one of the most recognisable trophies in the world of sport and as such carries a hefty and appealing value.
Such was its global popularity that parts of the Premier League trophy were stolen when the award was being toured around Europe, as revealed by The Sun.
Manchester City have lifted the Premier League title on the past four consecutive occasions, breaking the record previously set by rivals Man United at the end of the most recent campaign after winning the league on the final day of the season.
It was one of Pep Guardiola's six Premier League honours that were stolen while the trophy was being shown in Belgium as a suitcase containing part of it was illegally taken.
The silver base and the golden crown of the trophy were secured in a separate bag to the main body and it is this that was removed by thieves.
Only two titles are created each season, one kept by the winners of that year's competition and the other staying with the Premier League body and promoted around the globe.
Both of the unique individual pieces are insured for £250,000 in the event when something like this happens, but this is the first time English football's major club prize has ever been stolen.
It is alleged that the robbers who became the new owners of the exclusive piece of jewellery might not have realised what they were stealing in their opportunistic moment.
Hope of ever finding the missing piece remains slim with one outcome being that it has already been melted down and moved on.
The Premier League trophy is made by luxury jewellers Asprey London, with the missing base featuring 'semi-precious green malachite gemstone' and weighing 15.9kg.
The remainder of the trophy including the crown is made of what Asprey describe as 'the highest quality sterling silver and silver gilt.'
Identical pieces for the original part of the title that went missing had to be made by the company and were fitted to the trophy with no problems before being handed to Man City.
Meanwhile, the Premier League announced their fixtures for the 2024/25 season that City will get underway when they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 18.