In today’s paper edition of Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, a clear analysis of the numbers and factors behind Inter’s lack of spending in the January transfer market is detailed and analyzed. The Nerazzurri were able to secure Lisandro Lopez and Rafinha on loan but missed out on their targets of acquiring an attacking midfielder like Javier Pastore as well as a defensive midfielder like former Chelsea midfielder Ramires.
The paper underlines the solidity that Suning has brought to Inter, despite their mistakes regarding the transfers of Gabriel Barbosa and Joao Mario which they have lost a lot of money on at the moment. So far, there has €530 million injected into the club by Zhang Jindong, including money spent in the transfer market and general development of the club. A considerable figure that casts out any doubts about Suning’s motivation to bring Inter back to the top. However, restrictions in China and from UEFA have greatly limited their potential.
“Inter are obligated to finish this year with an even balance” Gazzetta reports as last year, Suning achieved this by buying their own sponsorship rights which they bought for €25 million, plus another €10 million in bonuses from an external partner but there has not been any more news on a major new sponsor like this.
There is currently a deficit of several tens of millions and with the January window over, there is no clear way to raise this sort of capital. If this does not change, they will not meet the targets of the settlement agreement with UEFA but according to the FFP rules: every club is allowed a maximum of €30 million in losses over three years. Meaning that the Nerazzurri can still escape further restrictions but they’ll have to continue their philosophy of self-sufficiency.
The biggest mistake in all of this was the fact that Suning failed to inform the fans who fill the stadium every week and the other stakeholders. Now Inter fans need an explanation from the Nanjing based group themselves because Spalletti’s psychologically superficial explanations regarding the squad and Ausilio’s minimal description of the January window will no longer suffice, the Gazzetta concludes.
