Suning are showing no signs of relinquishing control at Inter, as per a report in the Italian media today.
Milano Finanza has reported that the Nerazzurri’s owners are considering taking a new bond worth €250 million, which would be used in part to refinance the previous bonds worth €375 million (which expire in 2022).
Suning’s move would increase Inter’s already significant debt, but it would also resolve liquidity issues which are being foreseen by agency ratings.
The extra liquidity would enable Suning to buy out LionRock Capital’s 31.05% stake at Inter and take complete control at the club, with 100% of the shares.
With Inter on course to win the Serie A title, the report explained, the Zhang family believe the Nerazzurri really are worth €1 billion, the figure they requested from BC Partners when the private equity firm wanted to buy the club.
If Suning took 100% control at Inter, it would enable them to sit down with interested parties and keep all the profit for themselves if they sold the club.