Inter have opened talks with the Saudi Arabian government as they look to explore new commercial partnerships.
Today’s edition of Tuttosport details how the Saudi government are interested in setting up deals with the Nerazzurri, similar to Roma’s partnership with Riyadh Season, and have started negotiations with the club.
Inter president Steven Zhang is not interested in selling the club, despite the fast-approaching deadline of the Oaktree loan, and the two parties are only exploring possible commercial deals.
The talks are not related to the PIF’s prior interest in the Nerazzurri before their purchase of Newcastle United.
The Nerazzurri have to pay over €350m back to US fund Oaktree by May 2024 and Zhang is hoping to refinance the loan, explaining the club’s commercial strategy over the last year. Inter recently set up a deal with Qatar Airways, who became the club’s official flying partner.
Inter’s shirt sponsorship with Paramount+, worth around €11m plus add-ons, expires at the end of the season and will likely be replaced by a more lucrative deal, possibly with Qatar Airways.
The Nerazzurri’s financial health has slowly been improving over the last few years and now Zhang is working hard to avoid possible issues with the Oaktree loan, so updates on their talks with the Saudi government are expected in the coming months.