Inter Milan ‘are the latest club to attract interest from Saudi Arabia over a potential takeover’ – with prospective buyers ‘ready to test the resolve of the Nerazzurri’s owners’

Inter Milan have become the latest side to be linked with a potential Saudi Arabia takeover, according to reports. 

Despite sitting atop the Serie A table, with a 14-point lead on rivals AC Milan in second place, the Nerazzurri are still experiencing some financial struggles.

Last season, the club reportedly instructed advisors to start the search for potential buyers after showing losses of around £120m (€140m).

While they didn’t manage to find anyone to complete a takeover last year, there hopes may have now changed as reports claim of interest from Saudi.

According to Italian outlet Repubblica, a family from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia have taken interest in the Serie A side and are considering a takeover.

Last season, the club reportedly showed losses of around £120m (Pictured: Ex-Inter star Romelu Lukaku, left, and club chief Steven Zhang, right)

It claims that ‘there is no direct interest of PIF in Italian clubs, but in principle it cannot be ruled out that individual families may move’.

In 2021, a consortium of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) completed the takeover of Newcastle United – where reports suggesting they wanted to also buy an Italian side. 

The report continues to claim that on May 20th, a £235million (€275m) loan that was granted to Inter Milan’s current owners will expire.

Negotiations are reportedly underway between Inter chief Steven Zhang and Oaktree Fund to postpone the repayment date of the loan. 

Back in 2022, it was reported that the club’s minimum target in their search for investment was to pay off their loan from California based firm Oaktree Fund. 

The Nerazzurri, despite their financial struggles, sit top of the Serie A table in 2023-24

Zhang met consultants at Goldman Sachs and acknowledged he could no longer manage the full expenses of the club alone.

The Nerazzurri will be hopeful that the talk of a potential takeover doesn’t spoil the end of their season, as they look to lift the Serie A title. 

With just one defeat from their 31 league matches thus far, Simone Inzaghi’s side have become one of Europe’s most consistent and impressive outfits.