Just like Napoli last season, Inter Milan is dominant in Serie A this year. Nerrazurri had all but secured the title in Italy, but they did it without their president. Zhang family, which owns Inter, must repay over 350 million euros to the American fund Oaktree by May 20th (principal of 275 million euros plus interest), so it won’t be out of the question if they don’t come to Italy to celebrate the title of their own club. The Appeals Court in Milan has confirmed the final judgment from the tribunal in Hong Kong, in which Steven Zhang is obligated to return 320 million dollars to the China Construction Bank (CCB) (255 million for the loan and 65,000,000 for accrued interest). In translation, CCB can seek the seizure of all movable and immovable property owned by Zhang, which is located in Italy. Also, when (and if) Steven Zhang arrives at Malpensa Airport in Milan, he will be met by the local Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) with notification of the judgment. Similar to the case of Diego Armando Maradona, they will have the authority to seize all movable assets, including wristwatches, that are on him at that point, or in his travel bags.Eighth season at Stadio Maradona will be his last: Polish ace will join Inter in JulyConsidering that this would be a significant humiliation for Zhang and expose him to negative media campaigns, it’s highly likely that we won’t see young Steven in Italy anymore, at least not in the role of owner or president of Inter. But, according to all available data, Steven Zhang does not own anything in Italy. The majority stake in Inter is held by a company belonging to the Zhang family with headquarters in Luxembourg, which means they cannot be seized based on a judgment in Milan. Truth be told, they couldn’t be seized even if the company were based in Italy, as they are already encumbered with a mortgage for the loan obtained from Oaktree. In the meantime, Zhang Jr. has transferred all his immovable property from Milan to Switzerland, including luxury cars, so it’s unlikely that CCB will see a dollar from the seizure of his assets, at least not from Italy.Inter’s owner is walking on the edge: His team is winning, but he has to come up with $375 million by MayIt’s also worth specifying that the Zhangs not only received money from Oaktree but also borrowed from the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, where they borrowed €415 million, pledging future television rights revenues as collateral. This bond matures in 2027, and if the Zhangs fail to repay the debt, the future owner of Inter will have to pay it or forfeit television rights revenue until the creditors are satisfied. So, according to all the available information, two possible outcomes are emerging. The first is that the Zhangs, with the help of consulting firms they have engaged, find new partners to finance their debt to Oaktree. Currently, there are no legal entities or individuals showing interest in this operation. The second solution is for Oaktree to take over the management of Inter after May 20th. This would be somewhat of a precedent for the American fund, as it hasn’t practised this type of business, unlike, for example, the Elliot fund.🚨 Inter Milan could offer Kim Min-jae a move away from Bayern Munich less than a year after joining. The defender has been unhappy with his playing time lately. 🇰🇷 (Source: Gazetta dello Sport) pic.twitter.com/5ah7fLhjpn— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 23, 2024 The paradox is that despite all the mentioned problems, Inter gives the impression of a club bursting with health, ready to open a long domination in Serie A. CEO Beppe Marotta and sports director Piero Ausilio have already secured the signings of Piotr Zieliński and Taremi for the next season. They’ve settled everything for Giovanni Fabiani’s return from Bologna, either this June or the next, and they’ve also secured Albert Guðmundsson. The Icelander only wants Inter, and now it’s up to Marotta and Ausilio to find the financial structure to bring Genoa forward to Milano. With Gudmundsson and Taremi, alongside Lautaro Martinez and Thuram, Inter boasts an attack worthy of respect, regardless of whether the fifth striker will be Arnautović or Immobile. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7983356##The midfield is at a top global level: Nicolò Barella, Davide Frattesi, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kristjan Asllani, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Piotr Zieliński. If Marotta manages to persuade Bayern to loan Kim to Inter and reinforce the defensive line with Pavard, Bastoni, and Kim, it would be formidable. The only remaining issue would be the right flank, considering the left with Dimarco and Carlos Augusto is sorted out. Inter would gladly sell Denzel Dumfries, and EURO could help in that regard, with Matteo Darmian as a satisfactory backup option (considering his age). It sounds unbelievable, but without an owner, without investments, with debts and a pile of problems, one of the most powerful Inters in the club’s history is emerging. The Zhangs can take solace in the fact that they will be remembered as the most successful owners of the Nerazzurri after the Moratti family, both father Angelo and son Massimo.
