Transfer Watch: Carlos Vela reportedly has MLS suitors

Carlos Vela warming up

If the president of Real Sociedad is to be believed, Mexico national team star Carlos Vela may be headed to Major League Soccer this offseason.


The 26-year-old Vela has been at Real Sociedad, first on loan and then under contract, since August 2011. According to Mexican newspaper Record, Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay said that Vela will leave the club this winter, with the Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes the primary teams seeking his services.


Vela has previously acknowledged offers from Major League Soccer.


In last summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, Vela scored twice but was suspended for the final as Mexico won the title. He was an unused substitute in October's CONCACAF Cup against the US, then scored in the ensuing friendly against Panama.


For Real Sociedad, Vela netted a combined 30 La Liga goals in two seasons from 2012-14 but scored nine last year and has yet to find the net in 2015-16. A native of Cancún, Vela came up through the youth system of Chivas Guadalajara and was part of Mexico's 2005 U-17 World Cup championship team before moving to Arsenal as a youth.