A Saudi Arabian fund is carrying out due diligence on Inter’s financial accounts following their offer to US merchant bank Raine Group.
Pages 18 and 19 of today’s Tuttosport detail how a Saudi fund – which contains various investors including Bahraini-based group Investcorp – are willing to pay up to €1.3 billion for the Nerazzurri, matching the valuation set by the club’s owners Suning.
The price tag takes into account Inter’s reemergence on the European scene, the quality players in the squad and the talks for a new stadium in Rozzano. The Raine Group, who are playing a central role in the negotiations, have experience in this field, having helped Todd Boehly’s consortium purchase Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
Due diligence checks are now ongoing and things could take a key step forward in the coming weeks, although much depends on the position of Inter president Steven Zhang, who has appeared hesitant to sell the club in the recent past.
Over 18 months ago, British investment firm BC Partners were in talks to buy the Nerazzurri but talks hit a deadlock after Zhang made clear his desire to ultimately keep the club.
It’s no secret that Inter have until May 2024 to pay Oaktree back for a €275m loan, not including interest. The Nerazzurri president is keen to refinance this loan, which would allow him to avoid a sale in the coming months.