Becoming Rich with Daily Scavenging APP-Chapter 593: Buying a Soccer Club?

Originally, Chen Yiyang planned to visit several major tourist spots in Rome upon arrival.

However, after receiving Schaefer’s warning, Chen Yiyang decided to wait for the bodyguard assigned by the international travel agency before proceeding.

It’s well known that Italian thieves don’t care whether you’re a celebrity, internet influencer, athlete, or just an ordinary tourist.

They’ll rob or extort you regardless.

But although sightseeing isn’t possible, Chen Yiyang can at least focus on business.

The first thing is to get in touch with Rome’s local, long-established gourmet associations.

With Schaefer’s introductions, the managers of these associations briefly talked with Chen Yiyang.

As long as Chen Yiyang pays well, they don’t mind selling their association’s name for a good price.

As a result, Chen Yiyang also met some Italian business figures.

"By the way, my friend, are there any good investment opportunities in Italy recently?" Chen Yiyang raised his glass and asked an Italian named Ale Marus while toasting.

This guy, introduced by Schaefer, is a local bigwig familiar with many famous business figures in Italy.

"It’s best not to invest in Italy for the next couple of years," Ale Marus replied to Chen Yiyang.

"Why?" Chen Yiyang asked, puzzled.

"Although Italy may not seem very important within the European Union,

it actually holds a strong competitive edge in the luxury goods and industrial sectors in Europe.

However, because Italy has been overly generous with welfare, its finances faced difficulties a few years ago.

So, the Italian government sought external assistance, and at the time, Huaxia invested in many Italian enterprises, not only making money themselves but also helping the local economy."

As Ale Marus spoke up to this point, he hadn’t yet clarified Chen Yiyang’s doubts.

Earlier, he had introduced Italy’s industrial situation to Chen Yiyang.

Italy experiences a significant north-south divide, with the north, aside from small-time thieves,

resembling a developed country.

Moreover, many renowned luxury brands and supercars originate from northern Italy.

In contrast, southern Italy’s economy is extremely poor, struggling to even match those of Spain and other countries barely reaching developed status.

So previously, Italy hoped companies would invest in the south to help develop that region.

Much capital from Huaxia also invested in southern Italy.

"However," Ale Marus whispered, "with the new Great Commander in North America, many people in Italy followed his policies, hoping to curb Huaxia capital and enacted a ’Golden Power’ law.

This law allows special national protection for key infrastructure and enterprises."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yiyang understood.

Initially, they sought Huaxia capital for investment; as soon as they caught a breath, they wanted to drive Huaxia capital out of profitable fields under the guise of national security.

That’s why Ale Marus advised against Chen Yiyang investing in Italy for the next couple of years.

Italy hasn’t taken any real action yet, but once they decide to,

regardless of how much is invested, it’ll be like giving money to the Italian government.

Of course, if you’re discontent, you can sue the local government.

But be prepared for years of lawsuits and gigantic lawyer fees.

"Then forget it." Upon hearing this, Chen Yiyang quickly discarded the idea of local Italian investment.

"However, if you’re really interested in buying something in Italy, how about a football club?" Ale Marus suggested.

"Which club?" Chen Yiyang asked.

"Inter, of course."

Inter Milan Football Club, fully known as Internazionale.

During the glory years of Serie A, Inter was one of the few global super clubs.

However, the decline of Serie A due to Italy’s economic downturn and a series of football scandals led to its prolonged downfall.

Inter also fared worse and worse.

Eventually, a company from Huaxia named Sunning purchased about seventy percent of Inter’s shares for 2.7 billion euros.

Sunning, once a glorious but now debt-ridden company,

made numerous wrong decisions over the years.

But the decision to purchase Inter turned out not to be a mistake.

At the time of Sunning’s purchase, Inter was at a low ebb, and their offer was very reasonable.

After all, these shares had been worth over 300 million euros just two and a half years earlier.

Moreover, after Sunning acquired Inter, the club slowly improved; in the last three years, they’ve won two Serie A titles, two Italian Cups, and reached a Champions League final, effectively rising from the ashes.

Inter seems poised to return to its peak.

As a result, Inter’s market value surged to around one billion euros.

Sunning’s Inter shares are worth at least 700 million to 800 million euros.

Meanwhile, Sunning, deep in financial crisis, plans to sell its Inter shares.

But there’s a problem—Sunning can’t find a buyer!

The reason is that Sunning’s shares are actually mortgaged to someone else.

A few years ago, Sunning, short on cash, pledged its Inter shares to a North American fund in exchange for a 2.75 billion euro high-interest loan.

If this money isn’t repaid within three years, the Inter shares will belong to that North American fund.

Originally, there was nothing wrong with this deal.

If Sunning’s business hadn’t improved within three years, they could just hand over the Inter shares.

After all, Sunning had spent about the same amount acquiring Inter.

But unexpectedly, over these three years, Inter’s performance was outstanding, pushing its value to around a billion euros.

So, the deal would result in a loss.

If Sunning chose to repay the money, they could reclaim the shares and resell them for 700 million to 800 million euros.

Even so, Sunning could still make some profit.

But currently, Sunning can’t produce the roughly three billion euros to repay the loan.

"So," Ale Marus whispered to Chen Yiyang, "if you’re willing to help Sunning repay the loan, you could completely buy Inter’s shares from them. Once resold, you could net several billion euros."

Ale Marus’ words were highly tempting.

If Chen Yiyang temporarily invests a few billion euros, he could soon earn several billion more.

However, if such easy luck existed, why hadn’t his intel clued him in?

But what Ale Marus said was indeed enticing.

With nothing else to do in Italy, Chen Yiyang decided to approach Sunning and see.

What if it really was a golden opportunity falling from the sky?

Chen Yiyang had a few billion euros to spare; his businesses in Europe had earned him hefty euros lying idle in accounts with nowhere to invest.