Johor's Tunku Ismail in talks to buy AC Milan

NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Darul Ta'zim owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is currently in negotiations to buy Italian side AC Milan.

In an exclusive interview with Singapore's Straits Times, Tunku Ismail, who is the Regent of Johor, said he is looking to buy Italian club AC Milan.

"I'm planning to buy AC Milan but we'll see how it goes. I love Milan and I have always loved Italian clubs since I was young... The (focus) is always JDT but if I can buy a club in Europe it'll be AC Milan," said Tunku Ismail today.

He added that they are in the "research and discussion" stage now.

Milan, the former Champions League winners, are owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has signalled his intention to sell the debt-laden club.

Berlusconi is currently considering an offer from a Chinese consortium, reported to be worth €700 million (RM3.01 billion).

Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol was linked last year but talks have since stalled.

Tunku Ismail said both teams will work closely together if the deal goes through.

He said: "Hopefully we (can) have the link with Milan and JDT in the future, who knows. And that will be direct collaboration, not just a very small collaboration. That will be very direct," he added.