They may not be kicking off their 2018 expansion season for another several months, but LAFC look like they may be active during the current MLS summer transfer window.
According to a Tuesday report from the LA Times, Los Angeles FC are in talks to sign 28-year-old Mexican international Carlos Vela from La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
Later on Tuesday the Spanish club subsequently issued a statement indicating an agreement in principle had been reached for the player to move to MLS.
Should a deal be finalized, all indications are that the attacker, who scored in Mexico's 1-1 World Cup Qualifying draw against the US national team in June, would remain with Real Sociedad for the first half of the 2017-18 La Liga campaign, according to the statement from the Basque club.
Just two weeks ago Mexican international Jonathan dos Santos made the jump from La Liga to join brother Giovani dos Santos at the LA Galaxy.
Vela has spent his entire pro club career between Spain and England, coming up through the Arsenal ranks before eventually playing six seasons with Real Sociedad, scoring 72 goals in all competitions for La Real. His best season came in 2013-14, when he hit 16 goals in La Liga, three in the UEFA Champions League and two more in Copa Del Rey.
Vela had been out of the Mexican national team picture for several years, and did not play in any qualifying matches during the 2014 World Cup cycle, sitting out the 2014 World Cup. But he has scored twice in six appearances during the 2018 World Cup cycle, and also featured in three games in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup earlier this summer.
Amid all the reports and statements, Vela penned a note to Real Sociedad fans on Tuesday:
