5 Best Wingers for Bayern Munich to Target to Replace Arjen Robben

Although Arjen Robben has quite easily been Bayern Munich's best player this season and undoubtedly one of the most exceptional players in Europe over the past 12 months, the Netherlands international is 31 years of age and will one day need replacing.

Although the former Chelsea and Real Madrid star was never expected to thrive under Pep Guardiola, he has become an integral part of the way this formidable side play, and it will take someone special to take up his position and play it even half as well.

Fortunately for the German champions, we have gone to the trouble of putting together a small list of the best alternatives for when Robben chooses to hang up his boots.

Patrick Herrmann

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Perhaps the most understated player on this list, Borussia Monchengladbach winger Patrick Herrmann makes up for his relative lack of pedigree with raw, proven quality within the German top division.

As we can see from WhoScored.com, the 24-year-old has 10 goals and three assists to his name for the Foals this season, proving that he could make up the goals Bayern would lose through Robben's departure.

Another factor to consider is his impeccable athleticism. Anyone questioning his ability to run past quality defenders should take a look at Monchengladbach's counter-attacks against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. He is a quality young player, and Bayern would be lucky to have him.

Marco Reus

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

It may seem like something of a cliche to consider Dortmund players on any Bayern shortlist, but that is only the case because there is some truth grounded in the nonsense.

There’s no denying that the Bavarian giants have always admired Marco Reus' talents, and his new contract will have done very little to deter them or any other European super club from testing Dortmund’s resolve.

Reus is still the best winger in the Bundesliga. Therefore, there’s always a slight chance he’ll end up in Munich.

Antoine Griezmann

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Another goalscoring wide player worth considering should Bayern choose to replace Robben any time soon is Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, who must now be considered one of the brightest young players in Europe today.

As WhoScored tells us, the Frenchman shares Robben’s love for scoring and has 21 goals so far this season. Although he has been playing primarily through the middle during the current campaign, he would undoubtedly offer just as much from the right wing.

Kevin De Bruyne

Dusan Vranic/Associated Press

No player in the Bundesliga has as many assists this season as Wolfsburg star Kevin De Bruyne. In fact, with 17 in just 28 games, according to WhoScored, nobody even comes close.

Like Griezmann, De Bruyne has made his name this season playing as something of a No. 10, but at Bayern, he could play anywhere across Guardiola’s front four with little trouble.

A natural playmaker, the Belgian starlet would be an exceptional replacement for Robben.

Gareth Bale

Associated Press

OK, this player may seem a little far-fetched for those outside of the Bundesliga’s warm glow, but in truth, such a transfer is perfectly within the realms of reason.

If Gareth Bale does indeed part ways with Real Madrid, why wouldn’t the German champions be in with a shout of capturing his signature?

The club's finance director, Jan-Christian Dreesen, recently stated the club could spend over €100 million on a single player if they wished, and as we’ve seen in the past with Franck Ribery and Robben, Bayern are never afraid of forking out for the very best.

Bale is not only one of the best wingers in the world, but also one of the best all-round players within the sport today, and he'd add an exceptional amount of talent to this already impressive side.