Zhang provides Inter transfer guidelines as Oaktree talks reach final stage

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter President Steven Zhang is close to reaching an agreement with Oaktree to extend a loan beyond May and the Nerazzurri won’t need to lower their wage bill over the summer.

Inter President Steven Zhang is working to extend the terms of a €275m loan from American trust fund Oaktree, agreed in 2021.

The original agreement included a 12 per cent interest accrued, so the full repayment sum is €385m and is due to be repaid in May 2024. Reuters reported in February that Zhang was working to extend the loan and keep control of Inter and Gazzetta reports today that the two parties are close to reaching an agreement.

Zhang’s plan and Inter’s transfer guidelines

According to the pink paper, Zhang must pay around €350m, not €385m, but the Nerazzuri President plans to extend the deadline by one or two years.

This would give him time to further reduce Inter’s losses, develop plans for a new stadium, and seek potential minority shareholders.

According to Gazzetta, Inter will confirm losses between €40m and €50m in their next financial statement, which is still a significant improvement compared to 2021 when the Nerazzurri reported a record loss of €245m.

The reported imminent agreement with Oaktree means Beppe Marotta will receive the green light to extend with Lautaro Martinez and Nicolò Barella. At the same time, the Nerazzurri will need to balance transfer income and expenditure next summer, but they’ll no longer be required to cut their wage bill thanks to the many free agents signed over the last few years, which allowed the club to reduce the amortisation costs.