TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Rumor
Before LAFC's magical 2019 campaign got underway, there were rumors swirling around their biggest star.
Carlos Vela was reportedly a target for Barcelona, looking to add a veteran attacker on loan from January through the end of their season, which finished with the Catalan club winning La Liga at the end of May. The superstar himself confirmed those rumors, telling BS the Podcast in August that he would have been open to the loan.
So, will Barcelona come back for Vela this winter, after the Mexican had perhaps the best individual season in MLS history with 34 goals and 15 assists? Not so fast.
"I remember last year there was one option that emerged and we talked about it...Now we're not in the market to sign a player but are counting on the players we have," Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde said, via ESPN FC.
Valverde pointed to youth products such as Ansu Fati and Carles Perez as options behind the star-studded regulars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and others. Griezmann and Vela played together at Real Sociedad and remain close.
Barcelona currently sit second in La Liga, one point behind shock-leaders Granada, though have a game in hand.
