Inter owners Suning may be left with no choice but to sell the club as concerns over their ability to meet outstanding financial commitments are raised, Italian media claim.
The Chinese retail conglomerate are in discussions with British equity firm BC Partners over the sale of the club, but thus far a deal has not been reached and a substantial difference in the two parties’ valuation of the club.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Corriere dello Sport, Suning are required to raise €200 million to cover outstanding costs, including payment of deferred wages to playing and coaching staff and pay off an instalment on a bond taken out.
Whilst Suning founders and owners the Zhang family insist that they will be able to meet their financial commitments, Corriere dello Sport suggest that this could force their hand in accepting an offer for Inter from BC Partners.
One possibility would be an agreement that would retain Suning as the majority owners until the end of the season, allowing them to celebrate a potential Scudetto with Inter currently top of Serie A.
Alternatively, Suning will look to bring minority investors on board, with American fund Fortress and UAE-based Mubadala being suggested in partnership, as well as Swedish EQT.
