The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, who own Newcastle, were never concretely interested in a move for Inter Milan
That’s according to Tuttosport, who say any suggestion they are close to securing their second club are wide of the mark.
PIF completed their takeover at Newcastle last year, but they are not the only club the group have been linked to, with numerous reports in Italy about their interest in Inter Milan over the last few months.
It’s been established that those in charge at St James’ Park would like to purchase several clubs to set up a structure like that created by the City Group.
Inter are a prime candidate due to the issues surrounding current owners Suning, who are struggling for funds at this moment in time and have been undergoing a severe cost-cutting plan over the last year.
Reports have been conflicting about the negotiations between the two parties, though, with some claiming advanced talks and others insisting they never got far.
The latest came last week and insisted Newcastle’s owners were close to securing a deal and even had an ‘agreement in principle’ with Inter owner Steven Zhang.
Tuttosport say otherwise, though, stating that the interest from Newcastle’s owners ‘was never really concrete’ and the Zhang family continue to hold the majority shares.
They say that other sources state that there were talks but only until mid-September, at which point PIF, frustrated by the lack of a ‘complete agreement’, turned their interest to Newcastle and bought them instead.
In truth, the whole thing is something of a convoluted mess. It’s clear Newcastle’s owners are keen and have explored a deal at some point to buy Inter.
But whether those talks remain open or have long since been concluded seems to depend on the publication. But when it comes to Tuttosport, at least, they ended a while ago and aren’t ongoing.
