Chinese retail giant Suning, which owns Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning, is reported to be interested in buying a stake in Italian football club Internazionale.

Suning Commerce Group CEO Zhang Jindong was in Milan at the weekend to watch a game between Internazionale and Udinese.

“Suning Investment Holding Group and Suning Sports are interested in a strategic co-operation with Internazionale Milano Football Club,” according to a statement reported in the Italian media.

“The two parties are examining in depth the options to set up a broad partnership in the football environment and in the development of football in China, and they do not rule out the possibility of reciprocal investments.”

Inter is owned by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, with the club’s former president, Massimo Moratti, holding a minority share. It is believed Suning is chasing a 20 per cent stake in the Italian team, and that Brazilian star Alex Teixeira – signed by Jiangsu for €50 million (US$44 million) in the winter – could go on loan to Inter as part of the deal.

Internazionale’s city rival AC Milan is also in talks with Chinese investors, believed to be led by Baidu’s Robin Li Yanhong.