Inter’s owners Suning are in a rush to raise $200 million in emergency funds for the club amid a lack of liquidity, according to a report in the international media today.
As per The Financial Times, the Nerazzurri’s majority shareholders need the money due to the club’s finances deteriorating because of the COVID-19 pandemic and heavy spending on players.
Suning had been in exclusive negotiations with BC Partners over the sale of the club and talks are still ongoing, even though the exclusivity period expired last week.
Those negotiations are said to have ‘become critical’, with Inter requiring a cash injection now in order to ensure they can continue operations into next season.
Suning are also in discussions with several other potential investors besides BC Partners, namely Ares Management and Fortress Investment Group.
EQT and Arctos Sports Partners have also been monitoring Inter’s situation ahead of a potential investment.
Talks with Suning over Inter’s future are ranging from an outright purchase of the club to the purchase of a minority stake.
The report goes on to explain that Suning’s negotiations with BC Partners hit a stumbling block due to the differing valuations of the parties.
Suning value Inter in excess of €900 million, while BC Partners value the club at just €750 million.
Moreover, according to people close to talks, Suning are believed to be far likelier to sell Inter to an equity stake even if it means making a loss, rather than allow the club to go absolutely bankrupt.
Suning and Inter both declined Financial Times request for comment while BC Partners, Fortress and Ares did not immediately respond to the requests.