Exclusive: Barcelona put brakes on move for LAFC's Carlos Vela
Not everyone at the club is convinced by the Mexican international
Carlos Vela's move to Barcelona has gone cold. SPORT revealed earlier on Saturday that there was an agreement between the Mexican and the club, but some people on the board are reluctant to move forward with a move for the former Real Sociedad striker.
The signing of the Mexican international, who would arrive on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy, has a series of pros and cons and the cons are weighing heavier. Vela's not played an official game since Nov. 2. That's to say, he's not competed in two and a half months, when Los Angeles FC's MLS campaign ended.
As we reported, even though there's an agreement, a certain number of people at the club feel that these negatives cannot be needed. Vela would need a preseason and Valverde needs someone who can play now. It's difficult to know when he would be at 100 percent, but it would be a few weeks at best. Too long for Barça's current needs.
CONS OVER PROS
CONS OVER PROS That, combined with the fact he'd been playing in a lesser competition, with a rhythm and style still behind Europe's top leagues, has put the brakes on everything. The pros were his price (loan with an option to buy) and the fact he knows the Spanish league after seven seasons with La Real and another with Osasuna as a youngster. It's true that his form in MLS has been good (14 goals in 29 games) but the doubts are too big.
There is another handicap, too. The forward's had some off the pitch issues with his national team. It's led to him not playing for his country in the past. Those acts of indiscipline are also being considered.
The club's idea is to meet on Monday to make a final decision on the striker situation after Munir left. There are other options, but time's not on their side (just 10 days left in the window), so they will have to act quickly.
Meanwhile, Vela's not turned up for an MLS Media Day he was due to attend on Saturday. "Scheduling issues," was the reason given for his last minute no show.
