The Mexican forward’s contract expired at the end of 2023 and he has been looking to agree a new deal with the MLS club.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jan 15th, 2024 05:57 EST
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LAFC have a lot of work to do in the off-season if they are to build another team capable of competing for MLS Cup once again.
They have lost Diego Palacios, Giorgio Chiellini and goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and John McCarthy, while Kellyn Acosta and Carlos Vela are now free to sign with other clubs after the expiration of their contracts at the end of 2023. Acosta is rumoured to be close to a move to Chicago Fire, but the future of Vela is still hanging in the balance.
The Mexican has been a key player for LAFC in recent seasons and led them to the club’s first MLS Cup triumph in 2022. He captained the team last year but his on-field influence waned and the club is reluctant to offer the 34-year-old Designated Player another lucrative contract.
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Carlos Vela lifted the Western Conference title last season but the team fell short in MLS Cup. HARRY HOWAFP
Carlos Vela removes ‘LAFC’ from Instagram
The Mexican forward has been a key pillar of LAFC’s success under Steve Cherundolo but it looks as if his time at the club has come to an end. The team is set to begin pre-season training on Monday but, ahead of the return, Vela has removed any mention of LAFC from his Instagram bio. This could suggest that he believes his time at BMO Stadium is over.
The club has not given any indication of Vela’s future and, with the new season less than six weeks away, time is running out for the player to secure a new deal. Publicly Vela has indicated that he is eager to stay.
Last month Vela told reporters: “We’ll have talks and we’ll see if I can carry on playing here. I’d be delighted to stay, but if not, I’ll look for something else and will keep enjoying the little time I have left playing soccer.”
LAFC star and reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga tells @lequipe he wants to leave. “My objective is clear and stated: I would like to come back and play in France or in a European club," Bouanga said (via translate).A saga brewing here. pic.twitter.com/i6LF5rzyh8
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 8, 2024
