Inter Milan are desperately looking for new investment to keep the financially stricken club afloat, according to reports - with the club said to be seeking a £142million cash injection.
The Nerazzurri have spent heavily in the last few seasons in a bid to transform the team into Serie A title contenders, but their outlay combined with the Covid-19 pandemic has left them in a vulnerable position.
Manager Antonio Conte was backed in the market last season - signing Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United for £74m, while Christian Eriksen arrived for £16million from Tottenham.
This summer, they splashed out £35m on Real Madrid's Achraf Hakimi and secured a permanent deal for ex-United star Alexis Sanchez.
Majority shareholders Suning Holdings have been in talks with a number of companies but have failed to negotiate a possible investment, the Financial Times reports.
BC Partners, a private equity firm, are said to have pulled the plug on talks with the Italian outfit after failing to come to an agreement.
The Chinese group - who value the club at around £785m - have spoken about selling a stake in the club or a full takeover by another firm, the report adds, although BC Partners value the Serie A giants closer to £650m.
Suning purchased Inter in 2016 for around £235m - with Steven Zhang intent on bringing glory back to one of the biggest clubs in world football, highlighted by the club's big-money buys.
But if the club is unable to secure an investment deal with BC Partners, then a cash injection will be crucial to allow the team to remain competitive beyond the end of the current season, FT claims.