Italian Football Finance Expert Assurance Suning-Oaktree Saga “Won’t Affect” Key Contract Extensions | OneFootball

Marco Bellinazzo says the brewing saga between Suning and Oaktree “won’t affect” any of the key contract extension talks at Inter Milan.

Speaking to Radio Sportiva, via FCInterNews, the football finance expert with Il Sole 24 Ore made clear that the sporting plans at the Nerazzurri are totally disconnected with the immediate fate of the club’s ownership.

At the moment, it is not clear what will become of Suning at Inter. However, it is looking increasingly unlikely that the current Nerazzurri owners will remain at the helm.

The reason is that the deadline for the loan that Suning took on from US fund Oaktree Capital in 2021 is now rapidly approaching.

And Suning look set to default on payment. This follows the apparent collapse of negotiations with another US-based fund, PIMCO, on a new loan to refinance.

Should Suning default, then their controlling shares in Inter would pass into the hands of Oaktree per their agreement.

Reports indicate that Oaktree are ready to enforce this agreement. They would intend to sell Inter immediately, however, rather than run the club for the future.

A change in ownership would raise numerous questions about Inter’s future. On and off the pitch.

According to Italian football finance expert Bellinazzo, however, there is at least one matter that Inter fans can be calm about.

Bellinazzo: Suning Oaktree Saga “Won’t Affect” Inter Contract Extensions

In the coming months, there are some important contract situations that Inter want to sort out.

These concern coach Simone Inzaghi, captain Lautaro Martinez, and midfielder Nicolo Barella.

Inzaghi is currently under contract with Inter until the end of next June. Martinez and Barella, meanwhile, see their present deals expire at the end of June 2026.

Naturally, Inter want to tie down the futures of all three. They are all key parts of the project that has just won the Serie A title.

There have been negotiations with all of that trio’s representatives.

Reports have suggested that it shouldn’t take much for Inter to seal new deals for all three.

However, none of Inzaghi, Martinez, or Inzaghi have actually put pen to paper as of yet.

Reports have indicated that part of the reason for this has been that Inter have been waiting for clarification regarding the future at the ownership level.

And now, there is a lot of doubt – and at the moment, out right chaos – in that respect.

But Italian football finance journalist Bellinazzo feels that there is no reason to worry.

“Inter have had to self-finance in the last few years,” the football finance expert noted.

“And that can paradoxically be said to be a good thing. Because now, they’re already used to think in terms of self-sufficiency.”

“They’ve been able to make signings and keep hold of players to keep the level of the team competitive,” Bellinazzo said, referring to the contract extensions. “While also reducing costs.”

“Therefore, the running of the team will go on as it has been planned, even without Suning as owners,” predicted Bellinazzo.