Reports are that Silvio Berlusconi’s talks with Bee Taechaubol over a majority share sale in Milan are not so certain to go through.
The duo held negotiations through yesterday without reaching a definitive conclusion, reportedly to the irritation of the Thai investor.
Reports are that Silvio Berlusconi’s talks with Bee Taechaubol over a majority share sale in Milan are not so certain to go through.
The duo held negotiations through yesterday without reaching a definitive conclusion, reportedly to the irritation of the Thai investor.
Expectation is that the pair will resume talks today, for the transfer of a 51 per cent share in the Rossoneri, but even with it believed that Berlusconi has also signed a pre-contract agreeing to the sale, there are doubts over the deal’s completion.
A number of outlets are suggesting he and Milan’s parent company Fininvest hold reservations over the financial aspects to Taechaubol’s offer.
With Taechaubol quoted as hinting to reporters yesterday that talks today may not happen, it is assumed by the Gazzetta dello Sport among others that Berlusconi is reluctant to enter into a deal for just a 51 per cent transfer.
Berlusconi is reportedly more keen to sell 75 per cent of the club, to avoid a situation where he would remain heavily responsible from a financial viewpoint.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reports of him repeatedly telling his entourage that he is making this decision ‘with an extremely heavy heart’, whilst La Repubblica are also running quotes attributed to the current owner: “I can't walk out of this as a loser, I can't sell as long as the supporters are against me.”
Another sticking point to the talks is apparently the corporate structure of the company afterwards – Berlusconi is expected to stay on as honorary President, daughter Barbara Berlusconi may also maintain her current role, whilst Adriano Galliani is expected to remain at least as a ‘ferryman’ between the two majority owners, but these are roles yet to be defined.
Both the Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport conclude that delays may also be in light of the continued presence of the Chinese consortium of potential investors led by Richard Lee.