A scenario that appeared possible is gradually becoming inexorable, given the lack of extension: the The deadline for returns expires on May 20th of the loan (375 million, including interest) granted by the fund Oaktreel’Inter after that date it would pass – in case of non-return – from Suning to the same American fund. Today's edition of Corriere dello Sport focuses on the various scenarios in play, while underlining an alternative hypothesis: a possible extension could arrive only to allow Suning to finalize negotiations with a new investor, with an attached guarantee of fresh capital (and therefore with the possibility of proceeding upon repayment of the loan).
A situation which, however, sounds more like a ultimatum that is not a real opening: at the moment there are no negotiations for new entries into the company and this path, therefore, appears complex to follow (with so little time available). The unpublished aspect cited by the newspaper concerns the possibility of one Inter transferto be closed after Suning's exit: the timid surveys of possible buyers they would have transformed into something more.
But how did Zhang move in this context? According to Courier the current Nerazzurri owner would have tried to test the waters with other US funds, for a new loan, after having proposed to Oaktree to repay the 100 million in interest and to obtain (with higher rates) two or three years to repay the entire loan. Oaktree's position has remained firm, despite the possibility of higher interest rates, and there are no signs of a possible change of course. At this point the American fund, not wanting to take charge of Inter directly, would have identified one sale of the club as the best solution (after taking over the majority stake from Suning).