Anger erupts at Stan’s Arsenal ‘steal’
the London Stock Exchange, he said: “We are moving forward with this offer leading to 100 per cent ownership of the club.
“We appreciate Mr Usmanov’s dedication to the Arsenal Football Club and the storied ethos and history the club represents.
“The successful implementation of the offer will result in the opening of a new chapter in the history of the club in bringing 100 per cent private ownership by KSE.”
Gunners great Ian Wright tweeted: “Incredibly sad day for so many of our fan shareholders that no longer own a part of this club.”
Former Arsenal director Nina Bracewell-Smith added on Twitter: “It is truly a sad day for Arsenal Football Club.”
Kroenke and Usmanov have been battling for supremacy at the Emirates for years and the Russian billionaire could not resist a parting dig as he finally admitted defeat.
Usmanov, a long-time critic of Kroenke, said: “I have decided to sell my shares in Arsenal
Reasons
Usmanov has been exploring the possibility of selling his stake for some time but had always insisted he would never sell to Kroenke.
His reasons for doing so now are unknown, though those close to him deny this is a move to free him up for an investment in Everton.
Usmanov’s holding company, USM, is a major sponsor of the Goodison Park club, which is owned by his former business partner Farhad Moshiri.
Kroenke’s offer values Arsenal at £1.8bn but is only slightly more than the offer Usmanov turned down just a few months ago.
The club refused to comment on one of the biggest developments in their history yesterday, insisting it was a shareholder matter.