By the looks of it, LA Galaxy had a different English midfielder in mind for a big-name transfer.
Steven Gerrard revealed in January that he was set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season to finish his career out in MLS.
Gerrard will become LA Galaxy’s third designated player, alongside Omar Gonzalez and former teammate Robbie Keane, but it sounds like the club had a different English legend in their sights.
Galaxy manager Bruce Arena revealed his original plans to bring Frank Lampard to the StubHub Centre during last year’s transfer window.
“We recruited Frank pretty hard here,” Arena told the Daily Mirror.
“The deal was close… We talk to pretty much every single player that is interested in coming to the US and certainly when you hear Frank Lampard is willing, you’re gonna have a lengthly conversation.”
Having missed out on the Chelsea midfielder, after Lampard’s decision to move to New York City, Arena reiterated his belief that the 37-year-old will succeed in MLS.
“I got to know Frank and visited him in London and he’s a fabulous person and player and he’s really going to help football here in America. He’s going to do really well.”
