Arsenal targeted for African takeover
AFRICA’S richest man Aliko Dangote claims he still harbours hopes of one day buying Arsenal.
The Nigerian has an estimated fortune of £10.4billion and is reported to have wanted to buy into the club when former director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith was selling her shares in 2010.
Arsenal’s current majority shareholder is American tycoon Stan Kroenke, who remains committed to the Premier League club for the long term. Uzbek magnate Alisher Usmanov controls about 30% and has also expressed no desire to offload any of his stock.
Nevertheless Dangote, whose business interests include sugar, flour and oil, remains keen to become part of the Emirates Stadium club sometime in the future.
Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: “I still hope, one day at the right price, that I will buy the team.
“I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.”
Arsenal’s success this season has made them an attractive proposition for investors.
Dangote, though, added no imminent bid was in the pipeline.
“We have $16-billion worth of investments in the next few years. Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe,” he said.
The Gunners beat Hull City 3-1 on Monday night to give themselves a good chance to finish second behind Premier League champions Chelsea, and will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on May 30.
Dangote, however, suggested Arsene Wenger’s side should be achieving more.
He said: “[Wenger] needs to change his style a bit. They need new direction.”— ©
I might buy it [Arsenal], not at ridiculous price but a price that owners won’t want to resist