Former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela has revealed how he was close to securing a loan move to Barcelona.
The 30-year-old now plays his football for MLS side Los Angeles FC, where he is club captain. The Mexican spent six years at the Emirates Stadium between the years of 2006 and 2012, making 62 appearances in all competitions for the club before being sold to La Liga side Real Sociedad.
The forward has been in incredible goalscoring form for the American side, scoring 27 goals in 26 MLS appearances in 2019. That form caught the eye of Spanish giants Barcelona who made a move to secure him on a four month loan during the winter.
"It was really close," Vela told BS The Podcast . 'My second month for holidays, I was there with my pina 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".
"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."
The deal would have seen the player return to LA in time for the new MLS season, and Vela has outlined his commitment to the American club.
'I want to be here for the rest of my career," he said. "I'm really happy here, playing in LA. I want to be here."
