Etihad Airways denied reports that it is "on the verge of a five-year sponsorship deal" with Serie A side Inter Milan worth €125M ($142M), according to Ashley Hammond of GULF NEWS. Reports in Italy had suggested that Inter Milan was about to sign a €25M ($28.4M)-a-season deal with Etihad, which is €13M ($14.8M) more than what it currently earns a season with Italian tire firm Pirelli, "whose 20-year sponsorship of the club expires next summer." If true, it would be the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in Italian football, with Sassuolo currently getting €22M ($25M) a season from its "sponsors-cum-owners Mapei," and Juventus and AC Milan picking up just €17M ($19.3M) a season from Jeep and Emirates, respectively. However, an Etihad Airways spokesperson said, "Etihad Airways denies the reports and speculation that the airline is to become a sponsor of Inter Milan football club in Italy. The airline is not in talks with the club and there is no truth to these rumors." Etihad currently sponsors Man City, Major League Soccer club New York City FC and A-League side Melbourne City, which are all also owned by Abu Dhabi (GULF NEWS, 10/18).