Inter are deep in negotiations with long time shirt sponsor Pirelli, with a deal set to be completed over the coming months, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Rome based newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
The report details how Inter’s current agreement with Pirelli, signed in 2016, will expire in 2021, with both parties keen on continuing their long-term partnership.
Last season, due to the Nerazzurri’s return to the Champions League, Pirelli paid Inter €16.3 million, a figure much higher than in the prior years when Inter failed to qualify for Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
However, as the report highlights, there is a small problem for the Inter management. They considered Pirelli’s current financial contributions lower than their estimated market value of a main sponsor – around €25 million, rising up to €30 million including bonuses.
Therefore, there is a chance that Chinese company Evergrande, who are looking to expand to Europe, may compete with Pirelli for the main sponsor spot. Evergrande founder Xu Jiayin was seen with Inter owner Jindong Zhang during his recent trip to Italy, suggesting that potential business negotiations may have taken place.
Despite this, Pirelli are intent on maintaining their relationship with the Nerazzurri and are willing to increase their financial commitments to the club, the report adds, but if they fail to match Inter’s demands then other forms of partnership will be studied.
