DHAKA: Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he has sold the soccer club AC Milan to a Chinese consortium.

Berlusconi, who owns the Serie A team, made the remarks to local newspapers on Tuesday (July 5).

He said they will be paying at least €400m (£220m) over the next two years, which may value the club at up to €750m including debt, reports the BBC.

“Milan has now embarked on this path towards China,” he said without disclosing the identity of the buyers.

However other media outlets, citing their own sources, said the terms of the deal are still being finalized.

Berlusconi, 79, has served as prime minister four times but was convicted of tax fraud and bribery.

His family holding company Fininvest reportedly entered into exclusive talks with the Chinese investor group in May.

The consortium is looking to buy 80 percent of the club immediately before eventually taking over the remainder.

The deal could even result in the soccer club being listed in China, according to Reuters news agency.

AC Milan is one of Europe’s most successful clubs but is seeking new capital to enable it to better compete against other well-funded rivals.

It posted a loss of €93.5m ($104m) last year.

Berlusconi came close to selling a majority stake in AC Milan to a Thai businessman last year but changed his mind.

Many European teams are now owned or bankrolled by wealthy Asian or Middle Eastern investors or companies.

Local rival Inter Milan was sold to Chinese electronics retailer Suning Commerce Group last month.

And last month Chinese businessman Dr Tony Xia completed his £76m takeover of Championship club Aston Villa.

Football is a popular sport in China and the government has pledged to develop its local industry to become a world “superpower.”

BDST: 0915 HRS, JULY 6, 2016
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