Inter’s reported interest from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is real, a leading Italian journalist confirmed today.

Corriere dello Sport revealed earlier that PIF were now leading the race to take over the Nerazzurri, having made owners Suning a more attractive offer than BC Partners.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who manages PIF’s approximately 200 assets including Boeing, Facebook and Disney, was said to be taking care of negotiations, having previously led failed talks to buy Newcastle United last year.

Asked by an Inter supporter on Twitter whether the story was legitimate, La Repubblica’s Franco Vanni replied: “Yes, the interest is real, and it has been for a while.”

There are conflicting reports in Italy’s media today about Inter’s ownership situation as speculation over Suning’s real intentions for the club intensify.

Tuttosport claimed BC Partners were in fact closing on a deal worth around €800 million, while La Repubblica said the British-based private equity fund were ready to make ‘a decisive step’ to buy Inter.

US group Fortress are also thought to have made Suning an offer.