The 'old guys' in the summer transfer

Players in their 40s, who were criticized as being past their prime, became surprise signings this summer.

In the AC Milan shirt, Modric is an image that attracts a lot of attention - Photo: AC MILAN

Right after finishing his journey at the FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid, midfielder Luka Modric immediately made his debut for AC Milan. In September, he will turn 40. But the contract that AC Milan just signed with the Croatian player still brought a strong media effect, attracting a huge amount of interaction on social media platforms.

However, there is still a view that the Italian Championship (Serie A) is now just a retirement home for players. The quality of the tournament and the clubs has declined significantly compared to its past glory.

But at 40 years old, Modric is still a star, someone who, if used properly, can raise AC Milan to the next level. Moreover, he came to the team on a free transfer with a salary of only about 3 million euros/season. Financially, this deal does not bring much risk. In addition, Modric is the type of player with leadership qualities, something AC Milan has lacked for many years.

Also at the age of 40, English midfielder Ashley Young is also being sought after this summer. He is currently a free agent after his contract with Everton ended. Not long after being unemployed, the former Premier League champion was immediately welcomed by Watford.

This is a club that plays in the English First Division (EFL Championship). Although it is only a lower division, the EFL Championship is often in the top 10 most valuable brand leagues in the world . Therefore, its competition is extremely fierce.

Meanwhile, Watford was also a team that fought in the Premier League. At the age of 40, Ashley Young is not sure to "retire". Another reason for the English player to join Watford is because this is where he was attached from the age of 10 until he was 22.

Returning home and retiring is the dream that Ashley Young has publicly expressed in the past. Therefore, this deal is not only a professional story, but also has a humanistic meaning.

A few years younger than Modric and Young is Andy Carroll, a striker who is 36 years old this year. After many years playing professionally for Liverpool, West Ham, Newcastle, West Brom, Reading (England) and then Amiens, Bordeaux (France), Carroll moved to Dagenham & Redbridge this summer.

This is an unknown team, currently playing in Nations League South - the 6th division of English football and is only considered semi-professional.

It is not simple that the story of a team playing in a very low league buying players is praised by the British press. Recently, Dagenham & Redbridge was acquired by Qatari giants with very high ambitions.

Therefore, recruiting an "outdated" striker like Carroll is actually a good decision, because it attracts the media. Besides, with the class of the former Liverpool player, he is enough to make waves at his new team.

DUC KHUE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhung-ong-gia-gan-trong-chuyen-nhuong-he-20250718080533666.htm