Mirwan Suwarso, the President of Como, has confirmed reports of a non-aggression agreement with Inter regarding Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, stating, ‘This is a win-win relationship.’
The two Serie A clubs were reportedly on the verge of initiating a bidding war for the England international, with an asking price of €35 million from Stamford Bridge.
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Just as it seemed they would be competing, La Gazzetta dello Sport indicated that Suwarso reached out to Inter to propose a pact whereby both clubs would avoid competing for the player to prevent a situation where they might both be taken advantage of.
To the surprise of the Business of Sport podcast group, the Como president confirmed the accuracy of those reports.
Como’s Innovative Approach to the Transfer Market
On February 1, 2025, at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Mirwan Suwarso, President of Como, was seen during the Serie A match against Bologna. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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“There was a story circulating that we were competing with another Italian team for a British player, suggesting we were interested in acquiring him,” Suwarso told the Business of Sport. “So, I figured, why not reach out to the president of that club and ask if they want him? If they do, they can go after him, and we’ll step aside. However, if they acquire him, perhaps we could get a player from them in return.”
“He appreciated the call and said he would think about it. We then discussed our other targets, and he was receptive to sharing information.”
“To me, this is a mutually beneficial relationship with other clubs; we are transparent, and it fosters growth for all of us. I have a lunch planned next week with another club’s chairman to explore potential collaborations in managing their merchandise brand.”
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Some Serie A clubs produce their own merchandise, such as Napoli and Venezia, so it’s likely we’ll be discussing these opportunities at lunch.
Como operates differently than other clubs, largely because they were relatively small before the Indonesian investor took them from Serie C to the Champions League.
On May 24, during the match between Como 1907 and US Cremonese at Stadio Giovanni Zini, Cesc Fabregas, coach of Como 1907, is seen reacting during the Serie A match. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
“We have spent considerably, but we believe we can attain break-even status by the end of next season, reducing the need for owner investment,” Suwarso commented.
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“I had discussions with UEFA regarding our unique situation; there is no precedent for us. UEFA typically reviews past few years of performance. Compared to clubs like Juventus and Aston Villa, the scale and trajectory of our growth vastly differ. They suggested we would have to clarify our position regarding Financial Fair Play regulations.
“We aim to be responsible members of the Association; if fines are necessary, we will accept them as part of our growth process. We do not seek to be treated differently from other clubs.”
On April 21, 2026, Nico Paz of Como 1907 is seen speaking with head coach Cesc Fabregas during the Coppa Italia Semi-Final match against FC Internazionale at San Siro. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Suwarso revealed he acquired Como for €850,000, which included €150,000 of debt, and has since invested substantially in the club, including building a training facility that was previously nonexistent.