Talks between Inter’s owners Suning and prospective investors BC Partners are ongoing but no agreement is imminent, according to a report in Italy tonight.

Sport Mediaset claimed earlier on Tuesday evening that negotiations had undergone a ‘significant acceleration’ and that a deal for the club to be sold to the British investment firm could be finalised ‘very soon’.

A subsequent story from FcInterNews.it, however, has confirmed this is not the case, stating ‘there is nothing imminent’ and that talks are still in an early phase.

No deal is expected in the next two or three weeks, because BC Partners will not be ready to make Suning an offer of any kind – be it for a minority stake in the club or to take control of Inter – until they have completed their due diligence, which requires them to analyse the Nerazzurri’s accounts in detail.

The report explains how the complex financial landscape created by the Covid-19 crisis will slow any attempt from either party to close a deal, because neither side can afford to make rash decisions in a harsh economic climate.

Should BC Partners make an offer for a minority stake, they will nonetheless request to include a clause in the deal which gives them power over certain decisions at Inter, albeit the report does not specify what that might entail.