Bayern planning contract talks with Robben and Ribéry
Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben rolled back the years for Bayern Munich on Saturday and the Bundesliga champions are ready to talk new deals.
Bayern Munich are ready to hold contract talks with long-serving wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry next month. Ribéry and Robben rolled back the years once again in Saturday's 6-0 demolition of Hamburg in the Bundesliga.
Wingers on target in Hamburg rout
Former France international Ribéry hit a brace, while Robben – who has also called time on his career with the Netherlands – was also on target. The 34-year-old duo are out of contract at the end of the season but Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed plans are in place to formalise discussions over fresh terms.
"We have spoken with both players and agreed to hold contract talks in April and then we’ll see," he told reporters. "It's true, Franck has played superbly this Saturday, Arjen too. Both scored great goals. In April we'll talk. This has been agreed with the players and both of them accepted that. It was very unproblematic for them. We have the task to put together the squad for the next season and we will do that to our best knowledge and ability. That wasn't a problem for either of the two. It is known that generally, speaking for both of them, they would like to remain at Bayern Munich and, if they're playing like they did on Saturday, we'll get together and talk about it."
Robben ruled out of return leg
Robben has not travelled for Wednesday's Champions League match against Beşiktaş, although his absence is only a precaution. He is suffering from the effects of a pinched nerve and, as a result, will not be risked with Bayern already 5-0 to the good after the first leg of the last-16 tie.
Rummenigge added: "Arjen Robben won't travel, unfortunately, as a precautionary measure. He's suffered a pinched nerve."