Carlos Vela would fit in well at Barcelona, says Dos Santos
Former Barcelona midfielder Jonathan dos Santos believes Los Angeles FC star Carlos Vela could be the ideal solution for Valverde's attack.
Carlos Vela would fit in perfectly at LaLiga champions Barcelona, according to his Mexico team-mate and Blaugrana youth product Jonathan dos Santos. Barça reportedly considered a move for the former Arsenal and Real Sociedad forward back in January as they sought cover for injury-prone Luis Suárez. The short-term switch failed to materialise, however, with the Spanish champions instead signing Kevin-Prince Boateng, who barely featured in his six months at the club.
Carlitos Vela knows LaLiga and Barcelona
Should Barça come calling again, though, Dos Santos – whose LA Galaxy side were beaten 5-3 by Vela's Los Angeles FC in the MLS Western Conference semi-final on Friday – believes Vela would have no problems slotting in alongside Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Suárez.
Dos Santos, who made a handful of first team appearances for the Catalans between 2009 and 2014 after coming through the youth ranks, told reporters: "Vela could fit in at Barcelona. He is a great player with a lot of quality; he has shown it in every team that has been. I hope a team like Barcelona is interested in Vela. He would do well surrounded by such excellent players."
Zlatan: "The MLS wouldn't be the same without me"
Speaking after Friday's game, Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic made headlines by suggesting MLS would be forgotten quickly if he were no longer playing in the league. Amid rumours the former Sweden international could return to Europe when his contract expires in December, Dos Santos said: "Zlatan is very mysterious. He has not said anything else after the game and if he stays he will help us a lot in the campaign. He is a player of excellent quality."