Arjen Robben considering fresh challenge away from Bayern Munich
Dutch footballer Arjen Robben has admitted that his Bayern Munich career is coming to a close as he weighs up a move to a lucrative league outside of Europe.
The former Netherlands international has enjoyed a trophy-laden career with the Bavarian giants, lifting six Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokals, and the prestigious Champions League in 2013, where he bagged a late winner.
Robben's present deal is due to expire in the summer alongside Franck Ribery's but the club's hierarchy have already indicated that they would assess their contract situations by the end of the season. While his future has yet to be sorted, the 34-year-old is already mulling over a fresh challenge elsewhere, eventhough he remains with Bayern for next year as a squad player.
In an interview covered by ESPN, Robben was quizzed as to whether he would prefer a switch to the MLS, China, or Qatar; he refused to rule out the move by saying: "That’s exactly the current topic of conversation at my kitchen table at the moment, when talking to friends and family. Now is the time that I have to make a decision. A few years ago, it was usually relatively straightforward but I am approaching the end [of my career] now and I have a lot to think about. It’s not easy but it’s also exciting. A lot is still open but I have already ruled out certain things in my head—but they are staying private."
Despite approaching the twilight of his career, the forward has shown little signs of fading in his fitness levels, and this has allowed him to be an integrate part of Bayern's feat of 21 wins in 22 matches under Jupp Heynckes. In the current season, Robben has notched a tally of five goals and 10 assists in just 24 appearances, and he could prolong his career for a few years at the least, if he maintains his attacking threat.