Oaktree Capital Management, the owner of Inter Milan, is exploring the acquisition of a second European football club to create a satellite operation. The move aims to develop young talent and increase the value of Inter's players, following models used by City Football Group, Red Bull, and Chelsea's BlueCo.
The move signifies a growing trend of investment funds consolidating football clubs to optimize player development and financial returns, potentially impacting player transfer markets and the competitive balance across European leagues.
Oaktree Capital Management, the investment fund that owns Inter Milan, is reportedly exploring the acquisition of a second European football club to establish a satellite operation. This strategic move aims to mirror the multi-club ownership models employed by entities such as City Football Group, Red Bull, and Chelsea's BlueCo.
The primary objective is to create a platform for Inter's young players to gain experience in a different league, thereby developing their skills and potentially increasing their market value before integrating into Inter's first team. The fund is reportedly considering clubs in Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, with a preference for teams playing in their respective top divisions.
According to reports, Oaktree has allocated an investment budget of between €25 million and €40 million for this operation. The fund aims to identify and complete an acquisition within the current season, with the goal of having the new satellite club available for player development and transfers by the summer 2027 transfer window. This expansion into football ownership follows Oaktree's initial investment in Inter Milan, which began as a loan to the Zhang family.
Utilizing leagues with different registration rules than Italy could also offer advantages in the transfer market, such as facilitating the signing of non-EU players or assisting them in obtaining EU citizenship more quickly.