Roma could soon be part-owned by the man believed to
be the richest in China, according to a report Wang made his fortune in real estate and a
chain of cinemas in China.
Wang Jianlin, head of the Dalian Wanda Group and --
according to Forbes -- the richest man in the People's
Republic of China, could soon hold a stake in the Serie A
leaders.
Italy's Sole 24 Ore newspaper revealed details of
preliminary contact between Jianlin's representatives
and Italy's Unicredit Bank, which holds 39 percent of the
Neep Roma Holding's majority 78 percent stake in the
Giallorossi.
On Thursday night, Unicredit confirmed in a statement
that negotiations are underway, expressing their
"interest in evaluating potential opportunities" to sell
their stake, but confirming that "no decisions have yet
been taken."
Roma are currently controlled by a consortium, led by
American businessmen Thomas Di Benedetto and
James Pallotta, which has 69 percent of the controlling
78 percent stake, and Unicredit. Tikal Plaza SA owns
2.5 percent, with the remaining 19.5 percent spread
among minor investors.
Unicredit has made no secret of its interest in selling its
stake, telling Italy's ANSA news agency that it is a "non-
strategic asset." According to speculation in Italy, a deal
could go through early next week with fresh capital
subsequently pumped into the Serie A club.
Last week, Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir
became the first Far East investor in Serie A when he
took a 70 percent stake in Inter Milan.