Former La Liga star reveals he was close to joining Barcelona in January

Los Angeles FC striker, Carlos Vela who
was plied his trade in La Liga with Real Sociedad
 has claimed that he was “really close” to joining Barcelona
this past winter, confirming that the Spanish giants
did indeed reach out regarding a loan deal. Barcelona
were interested in Vela after scoring 14 goals while
 providing 13 assists in his debut season for LAFC,
as they spent last winter looking to sign a new attacker.

A lot of strikers were linked with a move\
 to the Camp Nou and the Mexican was listed
among the rumoured targets, but a move never
 came to fulfillment as Barcelona settled for Kevin-Prince
 Boateng instead who joined the Catalans from Serie A side
 Sassuolo. Boateng went on to make just four total appearances
for Barca, while Vela spent the winter offseason preparing for
his second season in MLS. But Vela admitted that was almost
 not the case as, if it were up to him, he would have
 joined up with Barcelona for that period.

“It was really close. My second month for holidays,
 I was there with my piña colada and my agent called
me to say ‘look, Barcelona is calling you. They want you to
play for four months then you can go back to LA’,
” Vela said on BS The Podcast.

“I said just say yes, I don’t care about the money
 or nothing. I’m going to start training tomorrow,
give me two weeks to be a little bit fit. Barcelona,
 Real Madrid you can’t say no. … If it was only my
choice, for sure, I’d take it.”

Vela has remained in form as he continues to
 dominate MLS this campaign, as he edges closer
and closer to the league’s single-season goal record.
The former Arsenal forward has already scored 27
 goals while providing 15 assists this season as he
 pursues Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez’s
single-season mark of 31 goals.

Meanwhile, LAFC sits atop the Western Conference,
 having already clinched a spot in the playoffs.
The 30-year-old forward, fresh off a goal in 3-3 draw
with the rival LA Galaxy, says he would like to
 spend the rest of his career in Los Angeles as he
 has found a club where he feels at home.

“It’s not only the things I want, football is a business
and you know how it works. But, if I have everything,
 I want to be here for the rest of my career. I’m really
 happy here, playing in LA. I want to be here,” he said.

Next up for LAFC is a match against Minnesota United
on Sunday, although Vela’s status remains up in
the air due to a hamstring injury.