Lippi: 'China good for Inter, Milan'
By Football Italia staff
Marcello Lippi has told Inter and Milan fans to welcome investment from China, as “they are ambitious and can buy champions.”
Both clubs are in advanced negotiations to sell the majority stock to consortiums, as Inter will be taken over by Suning Commerce Group, while the Rossoneri’s new owners remain under wraps.
“Massimo Moratti and Silvio Berlusconi’s decisions to sell were signs of how much they love their clubs,” Lippi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“To stay at the top of world football now it is inevitable to rely on big economic superpowers. As Berlusconi explained, they can afford to spend 200- 250m per year.”
Lippi has experience of the football world in China, having taken Guangzhou Evergrande to three titles and the AFC Champions League.
“Not long ago an emissary from the Suning Group asked me to come back to China to help Inter’s next owners make their club step up in quality.
“I can sense in Italy people are perplexed over the introduction of rich Chinese owners in Serie A and I don’t understand why. What is different to the Sheiks, the Americans or the Russian magnates?
“Inter and Milan fans should not be worried. Ambitious businessmen are coming in and they can buy champions to fire up the crowd. With $50m they can afford it.
“The Chinese chiefs seek international visibility. The Guangzhou President was insanely happy when our team became first in the Asian rankings. For them being in front of Japan, Korea and Australia was something to be very proud of.
“I can assure you they do not want to get into Italian football just for fun. They are prepared to spend a lot of money for football, but with the idea of earning just as much through other means.
“Football isn’t that popular in China at the moment, but there is a TV channel that transmits all the Serie A games and it is doing well.”
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