Is the end of ‘Robbery’ near at Bayern Munich?

Both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben will be out of contract in June 2018, and according to ESPN (via TZ), Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed talks toward new contracts with “Robbery” will be scheduled for early next year.

Robben and Ribery were in the same situation last season with their contracts set to expire but both ended signing on for another season.

"They are both institutions at the club. We know what we have in them and they both mean a lot to us," Rummenigge said. "However, it's also important how we proceed with them. We won't decide this any time soon, but we will have serious discussions with them both -- I'd say sometime at the start of spring."

For both players, health will likely be a factor in the upcoming decisions. Robben, 33, is currently dealing with a muscle fibre issue may not see playing time until the new year. Ribery, 34, has yet to play 90 minutes since his return from a knee injury.

"Talking about Ribery, he was injured for a long time and now played 60 minutes in his first game and then 63," said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes. "He could have played longer but I took him off because usually after the second or third game there is a high risk of re-injuring the ligament. I didn't want to risk that.”

Last month, Heynckes tipped Robben for an extension and said that, “He is a great role model for young players who want to make a career, because many have talent, but do not know how to behave professionally.”

One of those players who Robben could mentor is Serge Gnabry, who Rummenigge confirmed would be recalled to Bayern after his loan to Hoffenheim ends this season.

“It is not planned that Serge Gnabry will stay at Hoffenheim. We plan to bring him back after this season and then integrate him,” Rummenigge said. “Despite the injury he had we are very satisfied with his performances so far. We especially remember his two goals against [RB] Leipzig.”

Well, it’s easy to remember this one: