Antonio Conte did not say anything out of the ordinary when he called for clarity from Inter’s owners Suning, according to a leading Italian journalist.
Inter are on the verge of securing their first Serie A title since 2010 but Conte’s future remains uncertain, because of the club’s well-documented financial problems.
Zhang is expected to meet with Conte and Inter’s directors in the coming weeks to provide a clearer view of what lies ahead, in terms of transfer budget and Suning’s long-term future.
“Conte wasn’t being confrontational when he asked for explanations from Suning,” Sky Sport Italia reporter Luca Marchetti said (via L’Interista).
“Everyone knows it’s a difficult period for all clubs, especially at Inter.
“Zhang will have to clarify Inter’s financial issues, regarding the arrival or otherwise of new shareholders and Inter’s sporting project.
“Do Inter need to sell players, do they have to reduce spending or is there a possibility to invest?
“This doesn’t mean someone is going to be sold, on the contrary.
“They just need to be clear from the start of the season, like what happened last summer in the summit at Villa Bellini.
“You can’t go very far if there are misunderstandings.”
Inter will be crowned as champions on Sunday if they beat Crotone (tomorrow) and Atalanta fail to win away at Sassuolo (on Sunday afternoon).
In any case, Conte’s side need just four points from their final five games to end the club’s 10-year drought for a major trophy.
Zhang returned to Milan on Wednesday after a six-month absence and is already hard at work to solve Inter’s various off-pitch issues.
