Milan, Investcorp adds another 80 million: the project is ten years old

From our correspondent GB Olivero

April 27
– London

Full speed ahead towards the signature. Friday could be the day when Milan will be officially bought by Investcorp. There is still no absolute certainty because, for substantially technical reasons, the sale by Elliott could be postponed by a few days to the beginning of next week. On the other hand, both parties have always been soft on this aspect: it is true that the exclusivity that Elliott granted to Investcorp expires at the end of the month, but it is also true that there is so little that no one will formalize if the agreement is concluded at the end of the month. beginning of May.

Highest figure

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Yesterday morning a Reuters launch confirmed what had been happening for the past few days. In other words, that the negotiation is really well underway and that the announcement should arrive in a short time. The novelty lies in the amount that Investcorp would pay to Elliott, slightly higher than what has been said so far: it would be 1 billion and 180 million euros, about 80 million more than expected. As per tradition, the two sides have never confirmed or denied the figure and even yesterday they preferred to refrain from any comment. There will be no official reaction until the release of the press release announcing the signatures and the transfer of ownership of Milan. However, it is very significant that Investcorp seems willing to pay a very high amount, certainly far greater than the value of the company. It is the confirmation of the Bahrain fund’s intention to set up a long-term project, at least compared to the classic intentions of the funds: not the usual five-seven years before proceeding with the sale, but a period of at least a decade and probably also of more. The goal of bringing AC Milan back to the elite of world football needs clear ideas, planning and time.

The contracts

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In short, the situation is being defined. The finish line banner is starting to be visible on the horizon, the due diligence is practically over, the Investcorp and Elliott lawyers are drafting the contracts that will define every aspect of the deal. Then the signatures will arrive, while there are still no certainties on the following dynamics. Milan are fighting for the Scudetto and, beyond the announcement, it could be decided to wait for the end of the championship before presenting the plans for the Rossoneri’s future to the press. Nobody wants to disturb the sprint of Stefano Pioli’s team, but it is also true that the transition from Elliott to Investcorp is certainly not a downsizing, far from it: it represents the guarantee of a further leap forward for the Rossoneri club and could also galvanize the players. in search of the string of successes essential to keep the tricolor dream more and more alive.

The stadium and Ibrahimovic

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When the AC Milan acquisition is official, Investcorp will start working without wasting time. Among the first issues there are certainly the definition of the board (it is likely that a trusted man of the fund will be given a relevant position), the stadium and Ibrahimovic’s contract. As for the stadium, the new Milan will be able to resume the discussion already opened with Inter for a shared facility or decide whether to take another path, especially in order to have a higher capacity. The project chosen by the Rossoneri and Nerazzurri also forms part of the agreement drawn up with Elliott. Certainly the stadium is a strategic asset and the club does not want to let a lot of time pass, also aware that the speech for the new facility has been going on for years without any substantial progress. A meeting with Inter will be on the agenda very soon. The decision on Ibrahimovic’s future, on the other hand, will be taken by mutual agreement between the club and the player given the excellent relationship. Failure to participate in the winter World Cup in Qatar could affect the motivations of the Swede. Investcorp will let the sports managers (therefore Maldini and Massara, dt and ds) manage the affair according to their own convictions. The fund will only filter its guidelines on the management of the contracts of the most important players and in general of those of a certain age. However, Ibra, who could renew his salary plus bonuses for around two million, remains the most recognizable AC Milan player in the world: a non-secondary issue at the time of the change of ownership. Ibra could end his career with a year as a player-testimonial.