BARCELONA have made a shock move for former Arsenal player Carlos Vela, according to Mexico teammate Jonathan dos Santos.
The striker has turned into one of MLS’s top stars with 53 goals in 63 appearances for Los Angeles FC since arriving last year.
According to dos Santos, who plays for city rivals LA Galaxy, Barcelona have an offer “on the table” for Vela this January.
The midfielder told W Radio:“I’m on holiday, so I have not had much contact with him. But it is true.
“He has an offer on the table [from Barcelona]. I don’t know what he’s going to do.
“He’s very happy in Los Angeles, he had a spectacular season, but Barca looking for you is a very nice opportunity.
“I’m happy for him.”
Barcelona have not been afraid to sign slightly older, less typical players in recent years with Arturo Vidal and Kevin-Prince Boateng among those arriving.
In fact, it was the Ghana midfielder’s surprise loan transfer last January that Vela claims prevented him from joining then.
The striker told the New York Times in October: “[I was] really close.
“Who could say no to playing with Messi for four months and then coming back to LA?”
Such a big move for Vela would be a far cry from his struggles after graduating from the Arsenal academy.
Awarded 22 appearances in league and Europe in his breakout season of 2008/09, he registered just a single goal before a quiet loan spell at West Brom.
Of course, Serge Gnabry also endured a tough stint at the Hawthorns before going on to big things.
And Vela impressed at Real Sociedad the following year before joining the La Liga club permanently and reaching double figures for goals in five of his six full seasons.
