Lega Serie A, the organising body of the top division of Italian club football, has said it will enter into private negotiations with bidders for its domestic broadcast rights after offers opened yesterday (Monday) failed to meet the minimum revenue target of €1.05bn ($1.26bn) per season, reports SportBusiness.

The rights on offer are for the three seasons spanning 2018-19 to 2020-21, and two separate documents had been issued – one for pay-television operators, digital terrestrial television platforms and internet outlets, along with a subordinate tender intended for independent financial intermediaries.

Bids were due by Monday and the Lega confirmed it had received five offers from broadcasters and media companies, along with one from an independent intermediary.

The Reuters news agency said the five bidders were pay-television broadcaster Sky Italia, media group Mediaset, broadcaster Italia Way, telco Telecom Italia and media company Perform.