Manchester United Transfer News: Arjen Robben Holds Meeting with Louis Van Gaal

It's been revealed that Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal took advantage of Bayern Munich's trip to England this week, paying a visit to former Bayern Munich and Netherlands charge Arjen Robben.

German newspaper Bild (h/t ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld) confirmed the Red Devils chief stating that he was there to see Robben and nobody else, having left some fractious relationships in Bavaria: "I am not here to see Bayern but Arjen Robben. I won't attend the banquet."

David Ramos/Getty Images

The banquet Van Gaal refers to is a post-match tradition of Bayern's, but it seems the meetup with compatriot Robben was his highest priority.

It's inevitable that speculation would suggest the winger's future was a topic of discussion, but Robben has already made his feelings clear on that subject. In July, per the Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, he said: "I have a special bond with him [Van Gaal]. He is the most important coach in my career. After the match he did ask me to come to Manchester. It is not an option. I will stay at Bayern Munich."

Bayern play Manchester City in the penultimate group fixture of their 2014-15 Champions League campaign on Tuesday, looking to build on their 1-0 win over the Citizens two months ago.

Analyst Janusz Michallik recently joined Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey to discuss whether Bayern or the German national team were currently enjoying the better dominant streak:

Van Gaal would have to possess quite the silver tongue in order to convince Robben to leave his current project at the Allianz Arena. Pep Guardiola's Bayern are currently seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and look likely to retain their German title.

After making it to the 2014 World Cup semi-finals and contributing a great deal to any success Der FCB have come upon this year, the slippery attacker has been recognised with a UEFA Team of the Year nomination:

Van Gaal used his Dutch connections to sign Daley Blind from Ajax over the summer, but pulling Robben away from the Allianz Arena would be a hugely difficult feat—almost impossible to envision.

Even with the kind of spending power shown by the Red Devils last summer, when they splashed a massive total of more than £150 million, Robben's heart now lies with Bayern.

The winger was brought to the German giants by Van Gaal in 2009 and first played under the tactician in the Netherlands' youth ranks.

Since his switch from Real Madrid five years ago, Robben has soared to new heights as an elite European talent. OptaJohan depicts just what a devastating consistency the winger has accrued in Germany:

Signing a player of his talent would be a dream for the Red Devils right now, with the club hoping to cement their top-four status and make a return to Europe next season.

Such is the difference between theirs and Bayern's aspirations at present, and with the Bundesliga titans seeking another Champions League triumph, even Van Gaal may consider his old protege a lost transfer hope.