The debate over the age of footballers is dividing the football world. Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi admitted that Luis Enrique refuses to sign players older than 27, believing they are simply too old. Instead, he signed Desire Doue and conquered Europe. A similar philosophy was adopted by AC Milan under their American owners (albeit with much less success), as Gazzetta dello Sport reports, with an informal “20×25” rule—signing players no older than 25 and costing no more than 20 million euros. However, they eventually realized the need for someone to provide guidance and leadership.📰 @86_longo: #ACMilan is ready to submit an offer of €10M (including bonuses) for #Xhaka in the coming hours. pic.twitter.com/Ndsfb8Cnr2— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) June 17, 2025 Thirty-nine-year-old Luka Modrić is reportedly one step away from officially becoming a new Milan player. Alongside the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, Milan’s dressing room could also be enriched by the experience of Granit Xhaka. The 32-year-old midfielder has captained the Swiss national team at major tournaments for eight years and served as Mikel Arteta’s right-hand man at Arsenal for three and a half seasons. Arteta himself convinced Xhaka to stay at the club after a falling out with the fans. Over the past two seasons, he’s been instrumental under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.Twist in Munich – Bayern not giving up on LeaoHowever, with Alonso now headed to Real Madrid, Xhaka is reportedly reconsidering his future and would supposedly be open to leaving Bayer if a suitable offer comes in—one that satisfies both the club and the player. And that is why Football Italia is reporting that Rossoneri sporting director Igli Tare met the representatives from the player’s entourage to discuss the deal further. Calciomercato’s Daniele Longo reports that Milan will meet with Bayer Leverkusen’s management on Tuesday to inquire about the conditions for signing the Arsenal man.Third signing is here: Reijnders is a CitizenMilan recently sold Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City for 55 million euros, and Yunus Musah is expected to join Napoli soon for around 25 million. There is also speculation that Lazio are interested in Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who could bring in another 10 million for Milan. It’s still unknown how many players, in addition to Modrić and Xhaka (if both even arrive), Milan plan to sign during the upcoming transfer window. However, the wish list is long. According to reports from Italy, it includes another Swiss international—Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge, who is ten years younger than Xhaka—as well as 17-year-old Ayoub Bouaddi from Lille and Javi Guerra from Valencia.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025TuesdayBoca Juniors – Benfica 2-2 (2-1)/Merentiel 21, Battaglia 27 – Di Maria 45+3 pen, Otamendi 84/Flamengo – Esperance 2-0 (1-0)/De Arrascaeta 17, Araujo 70/19:00: (6.75) Fluminense (4.30) Dortmund (1.55)22:00: (1.60) River Plate (3.90) Urawa RD (6.00)Wednesday00:55: (2.90) Ulsan (3.15) Mamelodi (2.55)04:00: (5.90) Monterrey (4.00) Inter Milan (1.58)19:00: (1.07) Manchester City (13.0) Wydad Casablanca (25.0)22:00: (1.33) Real Madrid (5.90) Al Hilal (9.50)Thursday00:55: (2.85) Pachuca (3.35) Salzburg (2.50)04:00: (12.0) Al Ain (6.50) Juventus (1.22)***odds are subject to change***
