Carlos Vela 'came close to joining Barcelona in January'

Carlos Vela has admitted that he came close to completing a four-month loan move to Barcelona in the last January transfer window.

The striker has enjoyed a remarkable year at Los Angeles FC, becoming the first player to score 34 goals in a regular MLS campaign alongside scoring twice in a Cup playoff against local rivals Los Angeles Galaxy.

It is claimed that Barcelona came close to bringing Vela to Catalonia in the last January window, only to move for Kevin Prince-Boateng instead.

Speaking to the New York Times about nearly moving to Camp Nou last January, Vela said: "Who could say no to playing with Messi for four months and then coming back to LA? Enjoy, learn and then come back home."

The former Mexico international has previously enjoyed spells at Arsenal and Real Sociedad, scoring 150 goals since making his senior debut in 2006.