Having been linked with a sensational move to FC Barcelona in the January transfer window, record-breaking MLS forward Carlos Vela has now revealed why his move to the Catalan giants collapsed.
Following long-term injuries to forwards Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona were faced with a crisis during the January market, which culminated in the club controversially signing Martin Braithwaite as an emergency signing after the transfer window had closed.
Braithwaite, who joined the Catalan giants in a reported €20 million (R325 million) deal from relegation-threatened Leganes, was not the club's first-choice solution, however, with a number of other players linked with the Blaugrana prior to the conclusion of the deal.
Chief among the names on Barca's reported shortlist was former Real Sociedad and Arsenal forward Carlos Vela, whose record-breaking form for Los Angeles FC reportedly caught the attention of the Spanish club's scouts.
The Mexico international, who scored an MLS record 34 goals in 31 appearances last season, has now revealed that he was close to joining the reigning LaLiga champions, but his current club refused to sanction the move.
"Then I talked to the bosses at LAFC to request my transfer but they decided not to give it to me and I understood because, at the end, they want what is best for the club and for me. I tried and it didn't happen, and it is OK because I am happy in Los Angeles."
Vela's form for Los Angeles last season saw him named the MLS MVP and the MLS Top Goalscorer, ahead of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then of LA Galaxy, and 2018's standout player Josef Martinez, who plays for Atlanta United.
