How Chinese money chases European sports

By Zhao Siyuan | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2016-12-30 10:13

Chinese retailer marks Inter Milan

Inter Milan's elusion from European club elites didn't seem to last very long. Back in 2010, its treble winning season, it was an unstoppable force that eventually stunned Champions League favorites Barcelona and Bayern Munich to win the top club honor.

How Chinese money chases European sports

Champions League 2010 Final, match between FC Bayern Munchen 0-2 FC Internazionale at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Madrid, Spain, in this May 22, 2010 file photo. [Photo/VCG]

Then head coach Jose Mourinho's wild celebration was the Nerazzurri's swan song in continental competition.

After a hiatus from news headlines, when it gained back public attention, it welcomed a Chinese owner – Suning Commerce Group.

The Chinese retail giant announced in June it would acquire the Italian Serie A club in a deal worth 270 million euros ($306 million), two months before its city nemesis AC Milan also went into Chinese ownership.