Inter Milan taken over by American investor Oaktree Capital

Inter Milan has been acquired by American investment firm Oaktree Capital, effectively for €395 million, as the club’s former owner failed to repay a loan.

Despite the financial problems faced by its owners, Inter Milan won this year’s Seria A Scudetto and as champions of Italy the will take their place in next season’s Champions League.

Oaktree financed Chinese firm Suning as football reset following COVID, with the €395 million loan secured against the owner’s interest in the club.

The American investor now takes the reins at a time when American investment in ‘soccer’ is very much in fashion.

US investment in football is boosted by high-profile projects in the UK where Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (backed by a Disney+ documentary) are revitalising Wrexham through the lower divisions, whilst retired NFL starts Tom Brady and JJ Watt have joined consortiums owning stakes in Birmingham City and Burnley respectively.

In Italy, Oaktree said it intends to focus on “operational and financial stability”.

Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri (blue-and-black) club is expected to see a busy summer transfer window under the new owners.

The financial situation means there’s no transfer chest to lavish on big-money players, and the club is expected to sell-to-buy whilst also working to trim wages from the squad.

Press reports in recent days suggested that the sale of Denzel Dumfries and Marcus Thuram could be among the names most likely to bank significant funds.

Meanwhile, the club is likely to listen to offers for a number of other players.

In terms of incomings, the club has so far agreed two free signings with Piotr Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi set to join in the summer.