Inter President Steven Zhang has denied reports that Inter are up for sale by owners Suning.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the President addressed the recent reports about the Nerazzurri’s future, and also emphasized that the club are extremely keen to keep hold of defender Milan Skriniar.
Reports over the past week or so have cast a great deal of doubt over the future of Suning as Inter owners.
The owners’ ability to keep control of the club on a financial level has been questioned throughout the past couple years, but the Chinese company have always filtered out that they are not looking for anything more than minority partners.
This was the point that Zhang continued to make, despite recent reports that emerged suggesting that the owners have asked US-based investment banks Goldman Sachs and Raine Group to look for outright buyers.
“Over the past 3-4 years the club has been, and still is, at the centre of all sorts of speculation,” Zhang said.
“We have to focus on ourselves,” he continued.
The President made clear that “I’m not talking to any investors, the club is not for sale.”
Of the qualification for the Champions League knockouts after beating Viktoria Plzen, Zhang said that “Today we’ve achieved an important result.”
“No one could have imagined this six years ago,” he continued.
“Everyone wants to see Inter at their best.”
“Apart from this qualification for the round of sixteen we’ve won three trophies,” Zhang noted.
“This shows that the choices that have been made have been the right ones for the club.”
“Every year we’ve increased what this team is capable of, and we’re constantly working towards improving, never satisfied,” Zhang said.
“Today we proved that we’re a winning team on and off the pitch,” he continued.
The President stated that “I dedicate this victory to the fans, who always support us.”
“Secondly, I dedicate it to all those who work around me, in every corner of the club.”
“And then also to my family who supports me,” he added.
Zhang praised the team and coach Simone Inzaghi, stating that “Our coach and the players are doing very well.”
“The work we’ve done over the last 4-6 years has all been done to make the club better,” he continued.
“And we’ve noticed the improvement.”
Zhang backed the coach, stating that “Inzaghi is a top coach, very resilient despite all the difficulties football throws at him, he’s always able to overcome them.”
“We’ve seen all these qualities.”
“Progressing to the next round is good news for the future of the club,” Zhang said.
Of the transfer rumours and future of defender Skriniar, Zhang said that “Every summer, every year, everyone can see that we’re trying to improve the squad.”
“And this summer as well we’ve tried to make the team competitive.”
“Skriniar is an incredible player,” the president said, “he knows how much I care about him and I’m confident that we’ll be able to keep hold of him.”