With 100 days remaining until the Oaktree loan deadline, the future Inter Milan owners Suning remains shrouded in mystery.
In May 2021, the Chinese company borrowed 275 million euros from the Californian funding company to cover the club’s operational costs.
On the 20th of May 2024, the deadline to repay the debt along with its interest rate will expire.
Since repaying the sum doesn’t appear to be a genuine possibility, what options do Suning have at the moment?
According to Tuttosport via FcInterNews, the Chinese owners will try to maintain control over the club by refinancing the debt.
In other words, Suning will be looking to strike a new deal with Oaktree that spares them from the other possible scenario: relinquishing the club in favor of the creditors.
In the latter case, the American company would temporarily assume control over the Italian club. This would be a similar case to Elliott who took over AC Milan once the club’s former Chinese owner Li Yonghong failed to repay his debts.
Elliott Group maintained control over the club before eventually selling it to RedBird in 2022.
The Future Of Suning At Inter Milan Remains Up In The Air With 100 Remaining Till The Deadline Of Oaktree Loan
Another possible scenario for Suning would be to sell Inter Milan before the deadline.
But as the Turin-based newspaper explains, it remains an unlikely possibility at the moment given that the suitors would prefer to wait until the expiry of the Oaktree loan before negotiating a buy, as it would give them stronger leverage.
Nevertheless, the source points to the club’s improved finances in recent years, partially thanks to Inter’s results on the pitch.
They have been able to count on comprehensive revenues from the Champions League recently, and they expect the same from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
These promising figures could play in Suning’s favor when negotiating with Oaktree to refinance the debt.
