A Chinese consortium with big ambitious for AC Milan should complete a takeover of the seven-time European champions within six to eight weeks, a broker acting for both parties said in reports yesterday.
If confirmed, it would prove a dramatic about-turn for Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, who only weeks ago said he would not sell a majority share in the Serie A giants.
Former Italy prime minister Berlusconi has reportedly turned his attention away from Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol, with whom he has a preliminary agreement to release a minority stake in the club and is now examining an offer that would see Milan — founded by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin in 1899 — fall into Chinese hands.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the man brokering the deal between both parties — Italy-born American Salvatore Galatioto — said the deal could be sealed by the end of this season.
Galatioto, who is considered one of the 50 most influential men in US sports, told the sports daily: “For obvious reasons, I can’t reveal the names of the interested parties. All I can say is that it is a very ambitious Chinese group which is very, very interested in the club.”
“We have very interesting ideas and projects pertaining to the club, but first we have to strike the deal,” said Galatioto, who owns the sports marketing and business firm Galatioto Sports Partners.
“I would say that if things go to plan, the deal could be concluded in six to eight weeks,” he added.
A sumo star was born in Japan on Sunday when 24-year-old Takerufuji became the first wrestler in 110 years to win a top-division tournament on his debut, triumphing at the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka despite injuring his ankle on the penultimate day. Takerufuji, whose injury had left him in a wheelchair outside the ring, shoved out the higher-ranked Gonoyama at the Edion Arena Osaka to the delight of the crowd, giving him an unassailable record of 13 wins and two losses to claim the Emperor’s Cup. “I did it just through willpower. I didn’t really know what was going
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