The former Liverpool duo failed to start any of the Galaxy’s three MLS Cup playoff matches and are both out of contract at the end of the year.
LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena has told AFP that he hopes to be able to convince both Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane to return to the club for the 2017 season.
Gerrard, who joined the Galaxy from Liverpool in the summer of 2015, is out of contract with the MLS side at the end of the year and reports have suggested that he could be set to hang up his boots before returning to Anfield as a member of Jurgen Klopp’s backroom staff.
Keane, meanwhile, also has just two months left on his current deal and, while he has no plans to retire at this point in time, the 36-year-old Irish striker is yet to hold talks with the front office over a possible extension.
Both players struggled badly with injuries over the course of the 2016 season and neither started any of the team’s three playoff matches as they were ultimately eliminated by the Colorado Rapids on penalties in the Western Conference semi-finals last weekend following a 1-1 aggregate draw after extra-time.
The pair’s recent lack of action has led to suggestions that LA are already preparing for life without them, but Arena insists there is still a chance they may not have played their last games for the club.
“We were honoured to have Stevie here as well as Robbie and are hopeful they continue to be part of our club but only time will tell,” the former US national team boss told AFP. “I haven’t spoken to those players. We need to let them have time to comment on what they want to do in their future rather than me commenting on it now.
“The season just ended. We need a little time to reflect. I’m sure both Stevie and Robbie at the proper time will discuss their futures.
“If Sunday was his [Gerrard’s] last game, to finish the way he finished with that penalty and the 45 minutes he played after being out for close to two months, was pretty impressive.
“With Robbie Keane, there are very few players who have contributed as Robbie has. Six unbelievable years, three championships, more than 100 goals. He embraced the league. You don’t always see that from international players.”
Should Gerrard and Keane leave in the offseason, though, the Galaxy will have two Designated Players open, leaving them with plenty of leeway to chase some big names.
Recent rumours have linked the club with a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he was previously named as a possible target last summer before joining Manchester United [h/t The Mirror], but Arena was quick to play down suggestions that the Swedish striker could soon be heading to Southern California.
“Are (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi in those discussions as well?” he joked when speaking to the Galaxy’s official website about the reports. “I’m going to give you a little hint that maybe 90 per cent of those things you see are not accurate.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing Messi and Ronaldo in line with them as well.”
As for Arena, his contract is also expiring this winter, but the five-time MLS Cup-winning coach confirmed that he will likely return to the StubHub Center next term to try to secure his fourth title with the Galaxy.
“It’s possible. I expect to be doing that next year,” he added. “But I’m not in any contract negotiations at the moment.”
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