Berlusconi: 'I can keep Milan'

By Football Italia staff

Silvio Berlusconi announced “there is a possibility I can keep 51 per cent” of Milan after meeting Bee Taechaubol.

Today’s encounter at the Park Hyatt Milano was expected to complete a takeover, but the situation is developing rapidly.

Berlusconi and Taechaubol spoke to reporters outside the hotel and gave a surprising update.

“We had this meeting and agreed to meet again in a while to define every aspect, above all the future of Milan,” said Berlusconi.

“My greatest concern is to give Milan fans the guarantee this new situation can see Milan’s future be up to the standard of its glorious past.

“Mr Bee is a very serious and reliable person who respected all the technical parameters of the contract. We’ve become friends and hope to do some good things continuing our rapport.

“I thank him for what he has done, putting himself at our disposal. This will also help Milan, the biggest brand in world football, to spread its marketing influence in the Far East, starting from China.

“This is the project we are working on.”

Asked what this day meant to Berlusconi, he insisted it was not in any way an ending.

“This day goes towards what we will do in future. It is a meeting to go further into plans, as I am very, very worried about ensuring that Milan can get back to being the successful club it had been in the past, the one we knew and now want.”

It had until now been believed Taechaubol would buy at least 51 per cent of the club immediately, if not 60 per cent, but Berlusconi insisted that was “all still being discussed.

“There is a possibility I can keep 51 per cent. How long will it take? I don’t know. Will I still be President? Yes.

“I want guarantees Milan will have what it takes to go back to being a protagonist in Italy, Europe and the world.

“This is a matter of the heart and for me goes completely beyond the usual business terms. It is very important to me and has always been a matter of the heart.”

Taechaubol also made a brief statement to the reporters crowded outside the hotel.

“I would like to say thank you to the President, it is a great honour. We are now going to have to work on some minor details. It will take a little bit more time, but we hope to be able to take the club further together.”

Image via Instagram Bee.Taechaubol.

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