British private equity firm BC Partners are determined to complete a takeover of Inter, and have increased their initial offer for the club.

The London-based firm have been in negotiations with current Nerazzurri owners Suning and, as reported in today’s newpaper edition of Tuttosport, submitted a new offer of almost €800 million, including taking on debts, for a controlling stake in the club.

This is an increase on the initial €750m offer and will now be considered by Suning’s board of directors, in addition to subsidiary Alibaba.

However, Suning may instead look to hold on to ownership of the club for as long as possible before considering selling, particularly with Inter currently top of Serie A and challenging for a first Scudetto since 2010.

Suning would consider a title success as an opportunity to bring prestige to their brand, having secured the Chinese Premier League title with sister club Jiangsu Suning, and instead may seek a partner to invest in Inter rather than a complete sale.

Inter secured a 2-0 victory over Fiorentina in Serie A yesterday to move a point clear at the top of the table, although AC Milan have a game in hand.