After cleaning up the confetti of the title celebration, Steven Zhang is trying to find solutions to the economic difficulties that are affecting Inter. The president asked the players and the staff to renounce two monthly salaries, but the squad is set to turn down the request, Corriere della Sera reports.
Once it becomes clear that it is impossible to reach a collective agreement, the chairman will move onto individual meetings. While the contributors that are tied to the club long-term are more inclined to accept a dilution of the wages, which would be paid next season, those on shorter deals will likely rebuff it.
The federal and UEFA deadlines indicate that Inter will need to come to terms or pay in full the November, December, February and March salaries by May 31st. The ownership is looking to cut the costs by at last 15 percent for the current and the next season. They are short on funds due to the effects of the global pandemic and the stop to the investments in foreign football imposed by the Chinese management.
Tullio Tinti, the agent of Alessandro Bastoni, commented in an interview with Corriere dello Sport: “I am responsible for my players, and I do not think a pay cut is something they necessarily have to agree to. We are aware of the problems, but clubs are private companies, and it is up to the owners to make up for the losses. I think their demand was inopportune.”
Antonio Conte did not participate in the recent summit and will discuss privately with Zhang later on. He will not hold a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Roma to avoid questions related to a situation that is above his paygrade.