Alisher Usmanov already owns 29.25% of Arsenal.GETTY IMAGES
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov is reportedly interested in buying Serie A side AC Milan, "thanks to his relationship with Paul Singer of Elliott Management," according to FOOTBALL ITALIA. The club is currently owned by Chinese businessman Yonghong Li, but "numerous publications have expressed doubt about his finances." Between them, the club and Li's holding company, Rossoneri Sport Investment, owe U.S hedge fund Elliott Management a total of €303M ($373M). If that is not repaid by October, "the fund can take over the club," but it is "nonetheless expected" it will provide another €35-€40M ($43.1M-$49.3M) "to keep the club running smoothly until the end of the season." However, Usmanov is reportedly "keen to step in should Li be forced to give up the club" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 3/22).
CAPITAL INJECTION: FOOTBALL ITALIA reported Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore disclosed that the club sent a letter to Rossoneri Sport Investment asking for a capital increase of €10M ($12.3M) by Friday. That money "forms part of the capital injections which the club needs to ensure liquidity between now and the end of the season." So far, Li has honored his financial commitments to AC Milan, and as things stand, "there is no reason to suspect" the money will not arrive. However, the liquidity at his disposal in China and Hong Kong is reportedly "running low" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 3/22).
'SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS': FOOTBALL ITALIA also reported Italy's public prosecutor opened an investigation into Silvio Berlusconi's sale of Milan to Li. The probe is a "Model 45" file, which means "there is no allegation of a crime in the initial inquest." The investigation is said to stem from a report by the Guardia di Finanza, which spoke of three "suspicious transactions" dating back to December (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 3/22).
