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Carlos Vela 'happy' at LAFC, refuses to rule out move to Barcelona

Carlos Vela has told ESPN that he is "happy" at LAFC and didn't expand on whether he could be headed to Barcelona, with rumors swirling that he is an option for the Catalan side in this January transfer window.

"They are issues for the clubs and agents," Vela told ESPN on Sunday in an interview. "I'm relaxed, working on the preseason and the most important thing is to be happy in the place you are. In the future we'll see what happens."

Vela's name being linked to Barcelona last week came as a surprise and, although it's been reported that a deal is unlikely, the Mexican wasn't giving much away.

"Whatever I may decide or happens I'll be happy because I'm loving being in Los Angeles with my team enjoying the day-to-day and I don't have anything to lose in any case," said the former Real Sociedad player.

Vela hasn't been involved in the Mexico set-up since last summer's World Cup and confirmed that he hasn't yet spoken to incoming Mexico head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino about his future with El Tri.

"I think they've taken a great decision in bringing in Tata," said the Cancun native. "Obviously I have to speak to him to see his plans with me or without me.

"I've not had the chance to talk with him, but I know I'll do so before the next call-ups [in March]. I wish him the best. I'm open to keeping going or to stepping aside for the youngsters, whatever is best for Mexico."

Vela added that before he moved to Major League Soccer at rookie franchise LAFC he wasn't sure what to expect, but says he can contribute more in 2019 than he did last season, when the club lost to Real Salt Lake in the playoffs.

"I enjoyed [the first season] a lot, I took on the responsibility," he said. "This year I'll take on more and I can give more to this club and this league. I'll work to that end."

Vela and LAFC open their 2019 MLS campaign against Sporting Kansas City on March 3.