American investment fund Fortress have made significant progress in negotiations to purchase a minority stake in Inter from Suning, Italian media claim.

Suning have been seeking investment in the club as they battle mounting financial troubles, with British equity fund BC Partners granted a period of exclusivity in January as they considered an overall takeover.

However, as reported in today’s newspaper edition of Corriere della Sera, Fortress have become the frontrunners to take on a minority stake and an agreement could be struck by the end of the month.

It would see Fortress invest €250 million through two loans and allow Suning and President Steven Zhang to remain in place at Inter, with the 29-year-old keen to retain his position.

Such investment would cover Inter’s expected outgoing costs until the end of the season and give Suning a platform to rebuild, whilst giving Zhang the opportunity to oversee a potential Scudetto success, with the Nerazzurri currently six points clear at the top of Serie A.