Oaktree Capital are about to become Inter’s new minority shareholder, according to a report in the US today.
Bloomberg have revealed the US-based firm will purchase a stake of around 30% in the Nerazzurri, which is currently owned by Hong Kong-based private equity firm LionRock Capital.
Oaktree Capital will buy the shares as part of a €275 million ‘bailout deal’, which is aimed at shoring up Inter’s troubling financial position.
The deal will also involve a loan, which is widely expected to go towards paying outstanding player salaries and transfer installments.
Oaktree Capital’s arrival at Inter could eventually lead to them taking full control at the club, replacing Suning as owners.
An announcement is expected sometime today, with LionRock’s Tom Pitts set to resign from his position on Inter’s board of directors.
Representatives from Inter, Oaktree, LionRock and Suning declined to comment when approached by Bloomberg, but the report said final talks were ‘still ongoing’ and could yet collapse.
Oaktree Capital’s plan is to revamp Inter’s finances in a partnership with Suning, but if Suning cannot repay their debt after three years then the loan could turn into equity.
This would mean the US fund taking control of Inter, in a similar arrangement to the one which saw Elliott Management take over at AC Milan in 2018.
