Moratti suggests Thohir takeover close to completion.
Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti has suggested that the takeover bid from wealthy Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir could be completed “within the week”.
Moratti is expected to sell a 75 per cent stake in the club in exchange for £292m, with talks finally set to reach a conclusion after almost a year of negotiations.
It is understood that the move still needs approval from the Nerazzurri’s shareholders, while Moratti is set to have an influential role in the Thohir era although his position has yet to be defined.
Thohir, a part owner of MLS club DC United and the NBA team the Philadelphia 76ers, is expected to ease the club’s debts which are said to be around £250m and invest in both the club and the playing squad.
However, Inter have already made a bright start to the season and are currently fourth after six games, with Walter Mazzarri spearheading an improved run of form.
“I hope to see an even stronger Inter,” Moratti said according to BBC Sport.
“We could be close to signing contracts but, until it happens, I can’t make any announcement. Maybe the signatures will arrive within the week,” he added.
Despite their success on the pitch over the past decade, the club has run up a significant debt after paying exorbitant transfer fees which in turn has also seen their wage bill rise exponentially.
However, with UEFA’s FFP regulations coming into force, Moratti has been forced to sell key players in order to trim that wage bill, which ultimately has paved the way for the patron to seek outside investment to ensure Inter stay competitive.
It will also mark a changing of the guard in Italian football as more foreign owners arrive in Serie A, with rivals Roma currently under American stewardship and also showing signs of a promising future.
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