Cole looks set to join Galaxy

Former English national team defender last played for Italian club Roma.

The Galaxy appears close to signing former English national team defender Ashley Cole.

A week after selling defender Omar Gonzalez and midfielder Juninho to Mexican clubs, the Galaxy appears close to filling one of its vacant roster spots with former English national team defender Ashley Cole.

Bruce Arena, the Galaxy’s coach and general manager, declined Monday to discuss the Cole talks in detail but said that media speculation about ongoing negotiations between the club and player was “fairly accurate.”

A formal announcement of the Cole signing “is close,” a Galaxy official said, and a deal could be reached before European transfer windows begin to open Saturday. Cole last played in March for Italian club Roma, which also refused to discuss the player’s status or negotiations with the Galaxy.

And Cole may not be the only player the Galaxy pulls through the transfer window before training camp opens next month.

“I would anticipate that we’ll add three or four players to our roster,” said Arena, who this month landed goalkeeper Dan Kennedy in a trade with FC Dallas and remains hopeful of re-signing U.S. national team forward Alan Gordon.

Yet the addition of Cole on a free transfer would be a curious one for the Galaxy.

Though the team needs help on the back line, Gonzalez’s departure leaves it weakest at center back while Cole’s best position is on the left wing.

Arena is already set there with Robbie Rogers, one of Major League Soccer’s best since moving from the midfield two seasons ago.

Acquiring Cole could push Rogers across the field to right back, allowing A.J. de la Garza to replace Gonzalez in the middle.

Cole’s age — he’s 35 — also makes him a strange fit for the Galaxy since he would be joining two other 35-year-old starters in Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard.

Fitness could be a concern too because Cole has played in only 14 games since moving from English club Chelsea to Roma on a twoyear deal in 2014.

Then there’s the money. Since the Galaxy doesn’t have an open designated player spot, it would have to spend most if not all of the $800,000 in targeted allocated money it will receive from MLS to sign Cole, squandering the salary flexibility it created after the sales of Gonzalez and Juninho.

But Cole — who made three World Cups teams and 107 appearances with the English national team, a record for a defender — would bring a big name and a sterling resume to a club that relishes both.

Cole, who made nearly 600 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea and Arsenal, winning three league titles and a Champions League crown in 14 seasons, has also drawn interest from Aston Villa of the EPL.

But the Galaxy has reportedly been the most aggressive suitor.