Milan President Silvio Berlusconi talks of ‘several important bids’ and discusses the club’s popularity in Asia, and Pippo Inzaghi’s future.
Berlusconi is looking to sell the Rossoneri this summer and has been negotiating with Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol and a number of Chinese groups, including one headed by Xi Jinping.
“There are several offers that demonstrate the importance of the Milan brand in China and other countries,” Berlusconi has said to MilanNews.it
Milan President Silvio Berlusconi talks of ‘several important bids’ and discusses the club’s popularity in Asia, and Pippo Inzaghi’s future.
Berlusconi is looking to sell the Rossoneri this summer and has been negotiating with Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol and a number of Chinese groups, including one headed by Xi Jinping.
“There are several offers that demonstrate the importance of the Milan brand in China and other countries,” Berlusconi has said to MilanNews.it
“We are considering them all, but we must do so with calm and prudence because it will be an irreversible choice. We have to find the right people.
“I hope to find someone who can take AC Milan forward with me thanks to new financing. If I don’t, I'll continue as President and I have an all-Italian Milan in mind.
“I am in agreement with those who think that there are too many foreigners in our football.
“Unfortunately I was told once that in a country in Asia, people were asked to describe three images that represented Italy and the answer was the Mafia, pizza and [Sophia] Loren. Lately, however, things have changed and now the three images are Mafia, pizza and Milan.
“After some research, I could see that the Milan brand is very strong in China and other Eastern countries. We have about 350 million fans around the world.
“I'm trying to identify a group of potential backers for AC Milan who can share the financial burden with me that is needed at the moment in football.
“Even a state like Qatar has now entered into the world of football, as it finances clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City every year.”
The former Italian Prime Minister also reflected on the prestige that his club now enjoys and the future of under-fire Coach Pippo Inzaghi.
“The history of Milan is fantastic and makes us, along with Real Madrid, the most successful team in the world,” he said.
“In my 30 years at the helm of the club, we have achieved many successes and Milan has become something that represents the image of Italy.
“Inzaghi certainly has a great relationship with the group. We have had different views on some occasions though, but this is a discussion that we will have at the right time.”