Sky journalist on PIF, Cardinale, Ibrahimovic and Maldini: 'Something is certainly cooking'

Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has given his take on the stories circulating regarding PIF, RedBird Capital, Gerry Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

There seems to be a cycle that has emerged in recent weeks whereby every few days one of a few sources will launch the news that connects Milan with potential investment/a takeover from the Middle East.

This week it was the turn of Il Sole 24 Ore and more specifically the journalist Carlo Festa, who claimed that the Saudi sovereign fund PIF are targeting a new wave of investments in Europe and in sports, with Milan a target for them.

CEO Giorgio Furlani was asked about the stories before last night’s game against Slavia and he denied there being any truth, but publicly Cardinale continues to admit that he could welcome investment either via a minority stake or other avenues like the new stadium.

Speaking on Sky this afternoon, Di Stefano was asked for his opinion on the future of Milan at a corporate level and the rumours that PIF are interested, touching on the upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia for Cardinale.

“With reference to the PIF fund, to a specific question, Furlani replied that it is speculation. He himself said that Cardinale is interested in minority groups that could be part of Milan and there is no need to add or subtract anything else,” he said (via Radio Rossonera).

“We learned from the guys from the Formula One team that Ibrahimovic and Cardinale are expected in Jeddah over the weekend. The protagonists of Milan will be present and, among other things, by a twist of fate, Paolo Maldini, former Rossoneri manager, will also be present.

“Whether it will be just public relations, or just entertainment related to F1, or there will be commercial or financial meetings, we will only find out by experiencing next weekend. Something is certainly cooking.”