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As we reported last week, there's a buyback clause in Carlos Vela's Real Sociedad that allows Arsenal to buy him back for around £3 million. Now the Metro and Mirror are both reporting that it's a done deal, and the Mexican national (skipping out on this year's World Cup, by the way, due to continued friction with the FMF) will be reportedly returning to the Emirates to either help out in next year's attack, or, if he doesn't work out, to be sold to another team that could use a striker. (Atletico Madrid, I'm looking at you.)
Twitter, as you can imagine, is abuzz with the transfer rumor doings, which includes comparisons to Vela's 13-14 goals and assist numbers with one Gareth Bale. The totals are nearly the same, and yet, as you can surmise, you can buy a lot of Velas for the cost of just one Bale. Here are the "highlights" from the Twitterverse:
Gareth Bale. 14g, 12a, €91m. Carlos Vela. 15g, 12a, €4m.
— Lil Bit FA Cup Final (@18DialSquare86) May 14, 2014
Carlos Vela vs Gareth Bale. pic.twitter.com/h6JKxn6Alv
— Football Trolls (@Footballltrolls) May 11, 2014
To make my point - Bale - 14 goals, 12 assists Vela - 15 goals, 11 assists
— Cesc Fabregas (@AyyyHussain) May 12, 2014
The Vela/Bale comparisons flying about are completely wide of the mark. Bale was injured for ages.
— Will Benn (@WengerBoy1) May 14, 2014
Also, to feed the beast that is the transfer rumor story mill, the move to buy back Vela allegedly means that Liverpool (who clearly needs forwards rather than, say, defenders who score less than 4 own goals in a season) now has the inside track on signing Loic Remy, according to Express.