Italian Lawyer Explains How Inter Milan President Protected His Interests In Case Of Oaktree Takeover: “Leaving The Club Wouldn’t Be Dramatic For Zhang”

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)

Italian lawyer Michele La Francesca explains why leaving Inter Milan won’t be a majorly dramatic outcome for Steven Zhang in case Oaktree take over the club.

The Nerazzurri president’s future at the club remains uncertain due to the Oaktree loan.

In May 2021, Sunning took a loan worth 275 million euros from the US-based investment company to cover the club’s operational costs.

The Chinese group must repay the amount along with its interest by the 20th of May 2024. Otherwise, Oaktree could take over the club.

Nevertheless, La Francesca insists that Zhang had already protected his interests in the agreement with Oaktree.

The Italian lawyer explains that the American company would have to compensate Suning in case of a takeover. This would be based on a fair market valuation.

He had already detailed the situation last January.

“To know what will happen on May 21st you would need to have a crystal ball,” noted La Francesca in an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio via FcInterNews.

“I am used to reasoning on documents. I am basing myself on the document from Hong Kong. They reveal that Zhang protected himself through the estimatation of fair market value.

La Francesca Explains How Zhang Protected Himself In Case Oaktree Take Over Inter Milan

“For Zhang, it would not be too dramatic to leave Inter because, in any case, they should give him the remainder he is entitled to according to the fair market value.”

Moreover, La Francesca believes that extending the deadline of the Oaktree loan would hardly serve in Zhang’s favor.

“What would an extension change? This is what I ask myself. For me, absolutely nothing because in two years, the debt amount would increase.”