The 2013-14 Calcio Saga Episode II

A report today suggests Erick Thohir is considering selling DC United, in a bid to cover current debt levels at Inter.

The Indonesian is believed to have paid €75m alongside Rosan Roeslani and Handy Soetedjoto take 70 per cent shares in the Nerazzurri in October, and to take on around €200m in debts.

Il Sole 24 ore report today that as he continues the process of transferring that debt from banks in Italy to banks in Indonesia, the Inter President is considering offloading DC United from his portfolio.

Thohir, who also owns Indonesian football club Persib Bandung and part-owns NBA franchise the Philadelphia 76ers and can count on a personal fortune of €300m, has held joint majority-ownership in MLS side DC United since July 2012.

However, it is believed that in approaching his plans for the Nerazzurri, Thohir intends to aid his personal guarantee on their debts by selling his share in DC United.

Meanwhile, Michael Williamson is expected to arrive this month in Milan to assume the role of chief of financial operations with Inter and oversee Thohir’s planned structural reorganisation of the San Siro giants.

Williamson has previously worked for DC United in the same capacity as CFO.

S wrote:There's one thing that can play to their advantage(if they spend big that is) and thats the limited financial power of the rest of the Serie A.Even the big Italian clubs cant afford to spend big without selling their stars these days.Plus the TV deal isnt as ridiculous as La Liga with even bottom clubs earning a fair bit so that would help i suppose if they are serious about building a major product.

Also,isnt this Al-Thani the same guy who owns Malaga too ? I actually wouldnt be surprised if a Malaga-esque situation transpires in this case too tbh lol.

Massimo Cellino looks set to sell Cagliari to the Al-Thani family as he prepares the takeover of Leeds United.

The patron reportedly sent a text message this morning stating: “I have practically sold Cagliari, the formalities will be completed tomorrow when the lawyers of the buyers provide assurances to the league’s governing bodies. They are good people.”

According to TMW, the buyers are the Al-Thani family, who already tried to buy Roma and Manchester United in the past.

The Qatar-based group will buy 98 per cent of Cagliari Calcio, with the remaining two per cent remaining with Cellino’s son.

It is believed this deal is linked in with Cagliari’s new sponsors, MSC cruises, who can make the most of the Sardinian port and holiday destination.

The timing of the sale is no coincidence, as Cellino is on the verge of completing his takeover of English Championship club Leeds United.

Al Thani's interests in the Costa del Sol are not restricted purely to football. He has plans to build a "Sport City," complete with a new stadium, along with a luxury marina and hotel complex in the nearby resort of Marbella.
So why would a man of substantial means, with such an expansive vision for Malaga and the local area, suddenly get cold feet?
"I think he has lost interest and I think it stems from the fact Malaga didn't get the TV rights they wanted," George Prior, a reporter for the English version of Spanish newspaper Sur, told CNN.
"There are rumors he has lost interest because of a lack of urgency from the Spanish authorities with regards to his other projects -- the Marbella hotel, the Marbella port, the football academy he wants to set up and launch in Malaga. This has frustrated him.
French football club spends big Waking a sleeping football giant
"I think he is biding his time to see what is going on with his other projects. If the sports village and the port moved forward, it might reignite his interest in the club."
Trouble has been brewing for some time. The death of long-serving official Jose Carlos Perez Fernandez in February was a blow to the club, and in May highly-regarded former Spain captain Fernando Hierro left his role as Malaga's sporting director.
"It's a personal decision which I've already informed the owners of. I think it's the right time in order not to affect future plans," the former Real Madrid star said in quotes reported by the AFP news agency.
Prior rejected the idea Al Thani could have run out of cash, suggesting his lack of investment could be an attempt to push through his ambitious building projects.
"He's one of the richest men in the Gulf," he said. "He could resolve all of the financial problems within five minutes. I think it has now become somewhat personal, which is obviously frustrating fans and frustrating the players and the manager.
"It has been mooted by the fans on social media sites. Some of the fans are saying this is him saying, 'Look what I can do' ... But there is now a worry there isn't the financial backing that was there before."

Robespierre wrote:It's something of strange...it's strange to image an Arabian in Serie A, and expecially in Cagliari. You could image a top club, ma not Cagliari