Inter Milan are edging closer to a deal with businessman Erick Thohir that would see the Indonesian tycoon acquire a majority share in the Serie A giants, reports said on Thursday.
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Thohir has been linked with a takeover of the Italian club since last season, which Inter finished in a disappointing ninth place, failing to qualify for European competition in the process.
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Inter president Massimo Moratti and Thohir met twice, in May and June, this year but failed to reach agreement.
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But reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper on Thursday said the pair had held talks in Paris this week and had made "significant progress" towards signing a deal that would see Thohir acquire a majority 70 percent stake.
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Neither Moratti, who made his fortune in the oil industry, nor Thohir were quoted in the report.
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Inter, the last Italian side to win the Champions League, in 2010 when they won the treble under Jose Mourinho, are reported to be desperate for a move away from the San Siro ground they share with city rivals AC Milan.
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However Moratti also wants the club to take advantage of ripe markets in Asia which English Premiership giants like Manchester United have exploited.
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Moratti told media last month he was still keen to attract investment that would help further promote the club worldwide.
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"As a club Inter needs to expand and break into new markets. And with Erick (on board) this would be possible," Moratti was quoted as saying on August 3.
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Gazzetta's report on Thursday claimed that Indonesia, which has the world's largest muslim population, already boasted 11 million Inter fans.
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Gazzetta quoted unnamed sources close to Thohir as saying this week: "Erick is very excited."
Inter Milan is just a wonderful football club so we just expect the best from them all the time in terms of football