Carlos Vela Unlikely to Rejoin Arsenal

Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela is unlikely to rejoin Arsenal, with the Gunners only interested in receiving money from the sale of the Mexican striker.

Vela left North London in the summer of 2011 for £2.5m after struggling for opportunities under Arsene Wenger – with the Gunners inserting a clause which allowed them to bring him back to the Emirates for just £3.2m.

Although Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay insisted the club are intent on keeping Vela and are still in negotiations with Arsenal, he confirmed the Gunners plan to activate the clause, saying: "Arsenal have informed us that Vela would be with them next season."

However, according to The Mirror, what Arsenal actually want is to sell the 25-year-old to Sociedad. If they are unable to reach an agreement, then the Londoners will re-sign the forward and sell him on immediately.

Arsenal are yet to make an official move and according to Marca they cannot afford to delay, as Atletico Madrid have reportedly earmarked Vela as their main target to replace Diego Costa, pressuring the Gunners to decide whether they want their former player to return next season – while Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring his situation.

When asked about the possibility of a return to London last month, Vela said: "It makes sense that Arsenal activate the clause now.

"A club that sees that a player is performing well for three years and has the chance of having him back for just an extra million... [Arsenal received £2.4m for 50% of Vela's rights in 2012]... if Arsenal didn't pay that amount they wouldn't be very intelligent.

"Arsenal gave me the opportunity to come to Europe when I was 17. I didn't have as many opportunities as I expected and I had to try new options. If I have to return to London, I will try to make things in a different way so what happened in the past won't be repeated again."

Vela - who ruled himself out of the World Cup in February after claiming that he was not emotionally ready to deal with the tournament - enjoyed a superb season, scoring 16 goals and grabbing 12 assists in 34 appearances, making him the fourth-highest assist provider in La Liga after Angel Di Maria, Koke and Cesc Fabregas.