Bayern close to agreeing with Dutch over Robben

Posted Saturday, November 06, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted on Saturday the German giants are close to agreeing a compensation deal with the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) over Arjen Robben.

Play-maker Robben is not expected to return to Bayern's colours until at least January and has missed the entire season so far after damaging his thigh helping Holland reach the World Cup final in South Africa.

Bayern are angry the Dutch allowed the winger to play most of the tournament despite suffering the injury in a World Cup warm-up win over Hungary on June 5 and the Bavarian side have been chasing the Dutch for compensation since August.

The Germans had threatened to take the matter to the court, but Rummenigge says he is confident the German club and the KNVB can now reach a deal without taking legal action.

"I am cautiously optimistic that we can reach agreement without going up in court," Rummenigge told the German press.

"We have agreed to meet again in the near future," said Rummenigge after revealing the Dutch have acknowledged some responsibility for Robben's injury.

Robben, voted the best player in the Bundesliga last season, is expected to resume training in the coming days and is only expected back when the Bundsliga resumes after the winter break on the weekend of January 15.