Serie A side Inter Milan "is edging closer" to a deal with businessman Erick Thohir that would see the Indonesian tycoon "acquire a majority share in the Serie A giants," according to the AFP. Thohir "has been linked with a takeover of the Italian club since last season." Inter President Massimo Moratti and Thohir met twice, in May and June, but "failed to reach agreement." However, reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper on Thursday said that the pair "had held talks in Paris this week" and had made "significant progress" toward signing a deal that would see Thohir acquire a majority 70% stake. Moratti, "who made his fortune in the oil industry," and Thohir were not quoted in the report (AFP, 9/19). REUTERS' Massimo Gaia reported Moratti said on Thursday that "no binding agreement had yet been reached to sell a stake" in the club. Italian media have said that Thohir might be willing to pay up to €350M ($474M) for 75% of the cash-strapped Serie A club.
Moratti said, "No, absolutely not." He said that "another month of talks would be needed." Moratti:
"There are no major problems to reach an eventual agreement." Moratti "does not expect to remain at the club as chairman after the deal." He said, "I don't know. With this situation... no, I don't think so" (REUTERS, 9/19).
