Report: Chinese firm close to Inter takeover

Rome - Chinese investors are on the brink of buying a majority share in Serie A giant Inter Milan, Italian media said on Friday.

According to daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport, several Inter officials are currently in Nanjing, China, to thrash out a final deal with electronics retailer Suning, which will acquire around a 70 percent share in the Nerazzurri.

The deal, worth €263 million, could be completed next week, according to Corriere.

It was only three years ago that Indonesian businessman Erick Thorir bought a 70 percent stake in the 18-time Italian champion.

Thorir will retain a 30 percent share, Corriere said, while Italian petroleum tycoon Massimo Moratti is set to sell his 29.5 percent share in the club.

Moratti was president of Inter on two occasions, from 1995 to 2004 and again from 2006 to 2013. His father Angelo previously held the same role from 1955 to 1968.

Inter's great cross-town rival AC Milan, with which it shares use of the city's San Siro stadium, is also in talks with Chinese investors over a possible sale following 30 years under the control of former Italy prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.