Inter players may have to take a wage cut in order to help Suning ease the club’s financial problems, according to the Nerazzurri’s former chief executive Ernesto Paolillo.
Inter are widely reported to be facing a real lack of liquidity for a multitude of reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the newly-imposed Chinese government restrictions regarding the exporting of capital outside the country.
Suning are in fact reportedly looking to sell the Nerazzurri and there is seemingly no shortage of interest in investing into Inter from investment funds scattered around the globe.
“Will players have to take pay cuts? Absolutely,” Paolillo suggested in an interview with Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb’s radio station TMW Radio this evening.
“If the parties do not sit at a table together, they will not solve the problem.
“I think we will see a great downscaling in Italy in terms of football competitiveness.
“Certain salaries will need to be given up as clubs in Italy will no longer be able to pay them.”
Paolillo, who joined the Inter board of directors in 2006 and left the club in 2012, then went on to admit he is worried by the current situation as far as Suning’s ownership of Inter is concerned.
“Am I worried? Honestly yes.
“I am already reading that it is difficult to pay salaries and this creates concern, knowing that there is no income and that with deadlines close, and the political attitude of China it becomes difficult to find a solution.
“Why did China reverse things in such a short time? At the base of this there is always the damage from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“China has an important GDP but they have suffered a lot there compared to their normal trend.
“In a situation like this they have cut investments and expenses that do not lead to direct impacts in China, such as those abroad.”
Asked about the joint stadium project of the Milanese clubs, Paolillo admitted that AC Milan need to find out if Inter can even afford to proceed with the idea of building a new San Siro.
“AC Milan need to know if the other team is willing to make certain expenses.
“Considering that at the moment it is difficult for Inter to pay back salaries, I don’t dare to think about what plans can be made on the construction of the stadium.”
EQT, Temasek, Ares Management, Arctos Sports Partners, Fortress and Mubadala are among the groups linked recently with investing in Inter.
