Italian Journalist Marco Bellinazzo: ‘Inter Milan Sale A Possibility But Suning Want To Stay, Oaktree Loan Due Date A Watershed Moment’

Italian journalist Marco Bellinazzo believes that a sale of Inter Milan is possible, but that owners Suning are still hoping to stay in control.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster TMW Sports, via FCInterNews, the football finance expert for Italian business newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore alsot named the due date for the loan that Suning took on from Oaktree Capital as the watershed moment that will determine Inter’s future.

By now, rumours surrounding Suning’s future at Inter are certainly nothing new.

The latest round of reports on the matter have concerned a potential takeover by Bahrain-based fund InvestCorp.

It’s not the first time that InvestCorp’s name has been linked with the Nerazzurri. But now, the fund has reportedly indicated that they are ready to make a mammoth €1.3 billion offer.

Meanwhile, Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus is also in the frame.

Reports in the spring linked the Finn’s name as a possible interested party, whilst Zilliacus himself has done little to deny the rumours linking him to Inter.

But the big question could be whether or not Suning are willing to sell. And, if they are not, whether circumstances could force them to anyway.

Bellinazzo: Inter Milan Sale Possible, But Suning Not Keen

Asked if a sale is possible on the horizon for Inter, Bellinazo said “There’s no doubt about that.”

“We’ve seen with Suning’s situation that it’s not as positive as it was a few years ago. The same is true of the Chinese economic situation in general.”

Bellinazzo noted that for “For [Chinese businesses], investing in football is no longer a possibility.”

The journalist predicted that “The real watershed for Inter is when the loan from Oaktree expires in May of 2024.”

“New investors could allow the Zhang family to not have to leave the club if they added investment.”

Bellinazzo stressed that “We need to distinguish between Suning and the Zhang family. Because the group’s shareholding has changed a lot over the years, and is no longer exactly the same as it was in 2016.”

“Then we always have to see which funds come in with interest, and what their objectives are. There are big differences, for example, between Middle Eastern and American buyers.”

“I think the Zhangs want to go ahead with the Inter project, including the second star and building the new stadium,” the journalist predicted.

“The financial aspect is very important, however.”