Inter Milan owners Suning won’t relinquish their majority shares in the club for free despite being indebted to Oaktree Group.

In May 2021, the Chinese company loaned 275 million euros from the US-based company to cover operational costs.

Suning must either repay the loan along with the interest rate or refinance it before the 20th of May 2024.

While the deadline is fast approaching, it remains to be seen how the Nerazzurri owners will act. But one thing is for sure, Suning have inserted a clause that protects them in the case where they’re forced to relinquish their shares in the club.

During his appearance on Panorama, Italian lawyer Michele Di Francesca explains the context of a document that reveals telling details from the agreement between Suning and Oaktree.

According to Di Francesca, the American investment group would have to pay a figure between 150 and 300 million euros should they decide to acquire Suning’s shares in the club.

Of course, this scenario could only ensue if the Chinese group fails to find a solution before the loan’s deadline.

Nevertheless, if Oaktree decides to take over the club, it would also be a costly move.

Oaktree Would Have To Buy Out Suning To Obtain Inter Milan Shares

As Di Francesca explains, the document clearly states that the creditor would have to reimburse the debtor based on the estimated value of the club.

“Assuming a possible market value of 1.2 billion euros and after deducting the club’s financial commitments of around 750 million as well as the loan along with the interest rates (around 380 million), Oaktree would have to pay Suning around 70 million,” explains the Italian lawyer via FcInterNews.

“Furthermore, Suning would also collect the value of their shares owned by Grand Tower (a company created and owned by Suning) which is worth 125 million.

“So in total, the Zhang family would pocket almost 200 million euros.

“If, however, the value of the Milanese club was estimated at 1.3 billion, Suning could take home almost 300 million euros.”

The alternative solution for Oaktree (or a third party that decides to buy Suning’s shares in the club) would be maintaining the Chinese group as a minority owner rather than buying them out.

We can expect more interesting developments on this front to ensue as the deadline looms ever closer.