Suning To Kick Off Search For Buyer For Inter This Week, Financial Times Reports

TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 18: FC Internazionale board member Steven Zhang Kangyang looks on prior to he Serie A match between FC Torino and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 18, 2017 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Inter owners Suning have asked two US-based banks to begin looking for buyers for the Nerazzurri this week.

This according to UK-based news outlet Financial Times, who report that the Nerazzurri owners have asked investment banks Goldman Sachs and Raine Group to start looking for buyers immediately.

Suning have owned Inter since 2016, but there have been rumours of a sale being closer over the last couple of years as they have struggled financially due to the pandemic.

The current Nerazzurri owners have been reported to be looking for minority investors in the club, which has been part of the remit that they’ve given to investment banks they’ve been working with.

However, in addition to this, Financial Times report that they have given Goldman Sachs and Raine Group the mandate to look for interested buyers to purchase the club outright.

Financial Times note that the Nerazzurri owners have committed a total of around €100 million to the clubs in tranches to cover losses incurred across the most recent fiscal year.

Suning continue to be open to the possibility of minority investment in the club, but according to Financial Times they have now fully opened to an outright sale.

Goldman Sachs have been working with Suning for some time as the owners have searched for investment, whilst Raine Group were involved in facilitating the record-breaking £2.5 billion sale of Chelsea to a consortium led by Todd Boehly.

Last year, Suning took on a loan from US-based fund Oaktree Capital worth $275 USD to cover losses at the club during the pandemic, which is yet to be fully paid off.