A former Chelsea star is in talks about joining Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard in LA

Ashley Cole is not yet certain to move from Roma to the LA Galaxy, although an official from the American club has been quoted as saying a deal is “close”.

A formal announcement regarding the arrival of the former England international was said to be approaching, according to an unnamed Galaxy official quoted in the Los Angeles Times.

Galaxy coach and general manager Bruce Arena also added fuel to the fire by confirming he was in the process of strengthening the club’s squad.

“I would anticipate that we’ll add three or four players to our roster,” Arena said.

Arena added: “There are a lot of factors on why players come to our team as opposed to others.

“The Galaxy have a good reputation. Our players from Europe that have played here or are playing here are good spokespersons for our club.”

Sources close to defender Cole insist that a possible transfer to Major League Soccer is simply one of “two or three options”, one of which includes remaining at Roma, where Cole is understood to enjoy his present life.

The defender has infrequently featured for the Italian club since his arrival there from Chelsea in the summer of 2014, leading to occasional speculation that, as his illustrious career moves towards its conclusion, he will again move on in the pursuit of first-team football.

Premier League side Crystal Palace are among those Cole has been linked with.

While a transfer to the Galaxy would mean linking up with former England team-mate Steven Gerrard and Irish international Robbie Keane and Cole would fit the profile of many of the American club’s signings in recent years, the defender remains undecided about where his future lies.