Inter fans intensify their protest against President Steven Zhang for considering Romelu Lukaku’s sale to Chelsea, while reports grow that the club’s own directors are protesting the move.
A deal is not done yet, but many assume that Inter will give the all-clear once Chelsea provide a proposal worth €130m in cash (£110.8m).
The fans are furious and more signs appeared outside the club headquarters in Milan today, including a large banner from the Curva Nord that was written in English, so that their President could fully understand it. ‘Zhang: The time is over.’
There was also a note from the Curva Nord: “Coach and players, you have our support, we expect union, sweat and effort from you. Ausilio and Marotta, we are with you for the good of Inter.”
Other signs warned Inter ‘are not a washing machine company’ – referencing owners Suning’s main business – and calling for Zhang to resign immediately.
A supporter had even left his new 2021-22 Inter jersey on a railing outside the HQ, no longer wanting to wear it.
Meanwhile, La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio are ready to resign in protest if Lukaku is sold, although that would only happen at the end of the transfer window.
According to Calciomercato.com, their concerns are not just that the top scorer will be sold, but above all that any funds raised by the sale will not be reinvested in new signings.
Instead, the cash would balance the books and bolster their liquidity, leaving the squad badly weakened after already selling Achraf Hakimi to PSG.
#Inter, nuovo striscione della Curva Nord. Stavolta contro Steven Zhang.
“Zhang the time is over” pic.twitter.com/HgyKl3rgpc
— Daniele Mari (@marifcinter) August 5, 2021