AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi Reportedly Open To Selling 40% Of His Shares

Increasing speculation in "recent weeks" has indicated that Serie A side AC Milan is close to agreeing to a deal for "new investment," with Thai property tycoon Bee Taechaubol "seemingly in pole position," according to FOOTBALL ITALIA. Tuttosport reported that, contrary to previous belief, club President Silvio Berlusconi is "willing to part" with up to 40% of his shares. The source is a brochure presented by the bank Lazard to investors around the world, particularly in the U.S., the UAE and China. The figure "is important," because a shareholder controlling less than 30% has "little influence in the boardroom, an example being Inter's Massimo Moratti, who retains a figure around that mark, but has no actual decision making power." One of the decisions Bee would reportedly make is to bring back former coach Clarence Seedorf for a role at the club. Seedorf was sacked as coach this summer and replaced by Pippo Inzaghi, and it is "not thought that a return to the bench is planned" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 3/16).