Suning’s talks with BC Partners over a possible takeover at Inter are at a standstill, according to a report in the US.
The British-based private equity fund have been linked with buying into the club since January, when they completed due diligence on the Nerazzurri’s accounts.
Bloomberg, via Calcio e Finanza, has revealed today that BC Partners have halted negotiations due to disagreements over price and the size of the stake they would be buying.
The situation is nonetheless described as ‘fluid’ and talks could resume at a later date.
Last week, BC Partners’ executive committee member Nikos Stathopoulos confirmed in an interview with Bloomberg that the company were considering getting involved in sport.
He said: “I can’t comment on deals which have not actually happened, as you can imagine, but we have certainly been exploring investing in the sport industry, whether it be through a league or club ownership.
“Ultimately, club ownership in my mind has to be with a club that has very high probabilities of competing at the highest level of competitions.”
BC Partners are not the only party interested in investing at Inter, with reports this week also linking Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and US-group Fortress to the club.
PIF are thought to have offered Suning a gradual takeover, which would see them enter initially as minority shareholders before taking control of Inter.
Fortress, meanwhile, were reported this morning to have offered Suning a hybrid deal worth around €250 million to help cover Inter’s debt.
Suning are hoping to secure a loan which would enable them to avoid selling Inter altogether, as per another report on Friday.