Former Inter CEO Ernesto Paolillo warns Romelu Lukaku’s sale to Chelsea would be ‘the end of Suning’ at the club. ‘It’s right for them to abandon ship.’
The Chinese giants took over from Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir in 2016 and placed Steven Zhang as their President in 2018.
They already warned of financial problems, but the situation deteriorated over the last few months despite winning the Scudetto and emerging from UEFA Financial Fair Play restrictions.
If Lukaku is sold to Chelsea for €130m, it’s reported directors Piero Ausilio and Beppe Marotta are ready to resign, with coach Simone Inzaghi also furious.
“Lukaku proved himself to be the central figure around which a great Inter should be built, so being attracted by this offer means you are sated by one Scudetto and don’t want to build a great future,” Paolillo told TMW Radio.
He was the director general and CEO of Inter from 2006 to 2012, leaving before Suning’s arrival.
“It’s sad that they don’t want to invest or believe in this club. I think it’s the end for Suning at Inter. If nothing else, they’ve proved that they just want to make as much money as possible and keep it going until they find a buyer for the club, at which point what happens will no longer be their problem.
“Had Suning wanted to continue at Inter, they would’ve sold Achraf Hakimi, but then kept Lukaku. This is effectively waving the white flag. I can only hope that Marotta still wants to lead Inter and smooth things over for the new buyer, because it’s for the best now that Suning abandons ship.”
Time for Suning to give up. No money, no fun. No more poor owners.