Inter are still expected to have new owners in the near future despite Suning’s unsuccessful negotiations with BC Partners.
Nerazzurri president Steven Zhang has insisted on the record that Inter’s owners do not intend to sell the club, albeit they are seeking new minority shareholders to inject capital into Inter.
However, La Repubblica believes a deal that sees Suning relinquish control of Inter to another investor – and perhaps even the entire club – remains the most likely outcome as things stand.
“Some fans are still hoping they will remain majority shareholders as they are worried that being sold to a private equity fund could lead to limited investments in future,” they claimed.
BC Partners were negotiating exclusively with Suning until their agreement expired on Friday, but no deal has been agreed and it now seems certain the British fund will not buy into Inter.
EQT, Ares Management Corporation and Arctos Sports Partners are now in contention to fill their vacancy, although a report from Il Sole 24 Ore yesterday revealed US investment fund Fortress and Abu Dhabi state investor Mubadala could also be interested in getting involved at Inter together.
Suning announced their ‘next decade strategy’ via the company’s official Twitter account on Tuesday, assuring followers that they expected sales and profits to ‘rebound’ in 2021 after their difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
La Repubblica revealed Suning had at least enjoyed great success with their online commerce in 2020, via Suning.com, predicting a revenue intake of around €33.5 billion when their annual financial report is released.
They also referenced a study from Swiss Ramble, which said Inter boasted Serie A’s highest net spend in terms of transfer activity during the last five years with €352 million, underlining Suning’s commitment to investing in the club since they took over from Erick Thohir in 2016.
