Why winning the Champions League may not solve Inter’s financial issues

Inter Milan are one match away from becoming European champions for the fourth time after an unlikely run to Istanbul, but their financial troubles provide a stark contrast to mega-rich opponents Manchester City.

A resurgent club on the pitch, Inter exemplify the issues affecting Europe’s grand old clubs as a huge debt threatens a club which won Serie A two years ago and could yet win the Champions League.

Looming over Inter is repayment of a €275-million emergency loan, taken out with investment fund Oaktree Capital, with a reported interest rate of 10%, by Chinese owners Suning two years ago.

Restrictions on capital being taken out of China and the Covid-19 pandemic were a painful double whammy to Inter and led to the club quickly flogging two stars of the 2021 league title win – Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi – for big money and losing coach Antonio Conte.

The loan needs to be paid back in full in a year’s time or Inter could end up being scooped up by Oaktree in a similar way t

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