Robbie Keane backs Steven Gerrard to make MLS impact

Robbie Keane believes new team-mate Steven Gerrard will have no problem handling the pressure of being LA Galaxy’s latest superstar recruit.

The former Liverpool captain, who left Anfield after 17 years this summer, was presented to the Galaxy fans during their 4-0 win over Toronto FC at the StubHub Center on Saturday as Keane bagged a hat-trick.

And the Republic of Ireland striker, who previously played with Anfield icon Gerrard during a year-long spell with the club, reckons LA’s newest signing will be comfortable following his and David Beckham’s footsteps.

“There’s a pressure on you because you are the designated player so people expect so much of you,” Keane said.

“We’ve seen over the years, with myself and when David (Beckham) was here as well, people expect. If things are going wrong, they expect you to pull them out of a hole and that will be no different for Stevie.

“I’ve been looking forward to him coming – he’s been here the last 10 days or so. He’s been absolutely brilliant with the players and he’s a great lad on and off the field so we’re excited to have him here and he’s going to be a huge addition to this squad.”

The former Tottenham striker, who moved Stateside in 2011, thinks Gerrard will have a major impact on both LA Galaxy and the MLS as a whole and knows he is eager to win trophies with his new club.

Keane added: “I think he’ll have a massive (impact). Stevie has that hunger and desire to always do well and players such as myself came over here and got straight into it and wanted to win things and it has worked out well for me.

“Steven is no different – he wants to come here and win things. With him adding to this squad, it is only going to help the Galaxy.

“I just told him to come and enjoy it - he’ll have a great time here. It’s a great league, a tough league, a competitive league and it’s not a bad place to live either.”

Asked what Gerrard will have to do to adapt to life in Los Angeles, Keane was quick to dish out some sun safety tips.

He said: “He’ll have to put a lot of Factor 50 on, like myself.”

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Liverpool linked with Balde Diao swap

Keita Balde Diao: Linked with Liverpool

Liverpool are in talks with Lazio over a player-plus-cash deal for striker Keita Balde Diao, according to reports in Italy.

The Rome-based publication IlTempo says Lazio are keen on taking Fabio Borini in exchange for Balde Diao, with the Reds also having to pay around 2million euros.

Balde Diao, 20, came through the ranks at Barcelona's famous La Masia youth academy, but moved to Lazio in the summer of 2011 for £250,000.

The Spanish forward spent much of last season on the bench and made just six starts, scoring once as Lazio secured a Champions League place with a third place finish in Serie A.

His agent Ulisse Savini has made it clear that Balde Diao is not happy with his lack of game time in Rome and would be open to a move away, although no contact with Liverpool has been made.

"For years there have been several offers coming in, but considering the situation I have to say this summer they are particularly interesting,” Savini told Radio Sei.

"I personally spoke to Lazio and they said his sale is not predicted. It’s only natural that he isn’t satisfied with the situation, so we are evaluating other options.

"Liverpool have a manager who relishes attacking players like Keita. It is a destination we would like, but we have to verify a series of situations. So far I have not had any direct contact with Liverpool."

Inter Milan are also tracking the Girona-born prospect, who was linked with a £12.5m move to Anfield back in March.

Savini added: "Inter? I have an excellent rapport with them and know they are seeking wide attackers. The Nerazzurri really like Keita, but I think right now they are aiming for other objectives.

“In life you never know, as you might not get the first target and go for a second. I wouldn’t rule them out."

Borini is surplus to requirements at Anfield this summer and Brendan Rodgers will allow the former Sunderland loanee to leave, but whether he would be willing to sanction a move for Balde Diao remains to be seen.

The Reds already have youngsters Divock Origi, 20, back at the club after his loan spell at Lille and Danny Ings, 22, on the books and Rodgers is on the lookout for an experienced striker.

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Gossip: Arsenal, Liverpool chase Pedro

Pedro: Arsenal continue to be linked

Arsenal and Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Barcelona star Pedro, Robin van Persie wants a Man Utd pay-off and a trio of clubs are chasing Breel Embolo.

ARSENAL MAINTAIN PEDRO PURSUIT

Barcelona midfielder Pedro continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal, despite the fact he penned a new four-year contract at the Bernabeu at the start of last month.

The Sunday Mirror reports that Arsenal have "made contact" with Barca over a move for the 27-year-old, who is now supposed to be concerned about his lack of playing time with the Catalan giants.

It presents a remarkable U-turn from Pedro, who looked happy enough signing his new deal along with Jorda Alba in June.

The crux of the story seems to revolve around the fact that Pedro, who has also been linked to Liverpool and Man City, may not be first choice and will look to cement his place at next summer's Euros by securing a move.

What the Mirror fails to report is that Pedro has a 150million euro buy-out in his new deal, around £107million. So that should put paid to any potential interest from Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers. Manuel Pellegrini on the other hand might have the means...

VAN PERSIE SEEKS PAY-OFF

The Sunday Mirror has an exclusive regarding Robin van Persie, except it's not an exclusive because the Sunday People have an almost identical story.

The former suggests RvP is chasing a £12m pay-off from Man Utd before he signs a four-year deal at Galatasray.

The latter says he wants £13m paying to him - the last 12 months of his £250,000-a-week Old Trafford deal.

TEAMtalk can confirm £250,000-a-week for 12 months is £13m, so congratulations to the Sunday People.

Both papers do however agree on the £5m fee United want for the 31-year-old to "get him off the wage bill".

TRIO TO REEL IN £10M BREEL

The Sunday People exclusively reports that West Ham are battling Tottenham and West Brom to sign £10m-rated FC Basel striker Breel Embolo.

The 18-year-old is a target for the Premier League trio after scoring 10 times for the Swiss side last season.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, we're told, had scouts watching the Cameroon-born frontman last season. As for WBA and West Ham, they must have just jumped on the bandwagon.

AND THE REST

Manchester City are poised to break the British transfer record and sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba for £71m (Sunday Mirror & People).

Newcastle are closing on a deal for Northampton's teenage striker Ivan Toney (Sunday Mirror).

Sunderland are ready to make a £2.5m bid for QPR forward Junior Hoilett (Sunday Mirror).

Manchester United have stepped up their bid to land £40m Harry Kane after United officials made direct contact with Tottenham over a move for the England striker (The Sun).

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe wants to smash the club's transfer record by paying £14m to land QPR striker Charlie Austin (The Sun).

Sunderland have signed Belgium defender Nicolas Lombaerts from Zenit St Petersburg for £5m (The Sun).

Steve McClaren is closing in on PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum as his first signing for Newcastle after the player snubbed a switch to arch-rivals Sunderland (People).

QPR striker Charlie Austin is keeping West Ham and Newcastle sweating while he waits for Chelsea to come in for him (People).

Burnley will press Liverpool this week for an £8m compensation deal for striker Danny Ings after rejecting a proposed £5m fee (People).

Manchester City are ready to offer Wolfsburg up to £50m for Kevin De Bruyne as they prepare for a transfer battle with Paris-Saint Germain (Telegraph).

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling will report for pre-season training on Monday but his future could be settled in the next seven days with Manchester City poised to launch a third bid (Telegraph & Star).

Chelsea are set to complete the £8m capture of Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic this week (Telegraph).

Manchester United have told Real Madrid they will not sell goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, unless they are allowed to sign Sergio Ramos (Telegraph).

Newcastle will bid £15m for QPR striker Charlie Austin (Star).

Hull are chasing Man Utd striker James Wilson (Star).

Crystal Palace are showing an interest in striker Dani Osvaldo (Star).

Chelsea have Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger on their radar (Star).

Tottenham will have to pay £18m if they want to sign winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco from Monaco (Star).

Chelsea and Barcelona have been left to battle it out for Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan with Manchester United opting to focus on Morgan Schneiderlin and possibly Bastian Schweinsteiger (Mail).

Liverpool's pursuit of Christian Benteke has hit an impasse until Aston Villa give them an indication they will be prepared to drop their asking price for the Belgian striker from the £32.5m buy-out clause (Mail).

Robin van Persie plans to return to Manchester United next week for talks with manager Louis van Gaal about his future as Valencia became the latest club to express an interest in signing him (Mail).

Chelsea fear Manchester United are ready to hijack their swoop for Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic (Mail).

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has flown to Spain to finalise a deal with Atletico Madrid for their 26-year-old Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld, who spent last season on loan at Southampton (Mail).

Glen Johnson is in talks with West Ham over a return to Upton Park following his release by Liverpool (Express).

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Steven Gerrard targeting silverware after meeting LA Galaxy crowd

Steven Gerrard was introduced to the Los Angeles Galaxy crowd on Saturday as he watched his new side beat Toronto FC 4-0 on Independence Day.

Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick as the Galaxy moved up into third in the Western Conference, with Gerrard presented on the field at half-time.

"I can't wait to get my boots on and play in front of you guys," he said.

The 35-year-old is eligible to play from July 18 and he has immediately targeted silverware on the west coast.

"I've been in Liverpool all my life," he said. "But this is a good place for me to come and enjoy my football, and hopefully add a trophy to my collection."

LA Galaxy president Chris Klein says Gerrard's arrival is a huge boost for both the club and the league and expects him to lead from the front when given the chance.

"To get a player like Steven Gerrard to come and play in MLS and for the Galaxy is a really big deal, but early on we knew that if he was going to leave Liverpool, we'd be an ideal destination for him," he told Sky Sports News HQ.

"Our league continues to grow and the American player continues to get better while we continue to bring in players that more at the prime of their career.

"When you can add players of the quality of Steven Gerrard to your line-up it's only going to help the players around him and the players coming through our system.

"We expect him to come here to win. The expectation is that he comes in and meshes with our team, we expect him to lead and do the things he's done for Liverpool for his entire career and if he does that, we'll be in a good spot."

Keane's early penalty got the Galaxy on their way before a powerful finish added a second four minutes before the break. 

He then completed his hat-trick on the hour, sliding into an empty net after a woeful back-pass before Sebastian Lletget added a late fourth.

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