With another bid for control of Arsenal reportedly being rejected this week, we’re taking a look at the current situation the club are in.
Stan Kroenke was rumoured to have bid £525m for Alisher Usmanov’s shares in the club, which would have given him 97% control of the club, enough to force the remaining 3% to sell. However, Usmanov released a statement to say he’s not in any sale talks, seemingly putting an end to the rumours for now.
So what else do we know?
Who else could get involved?
Once again referring back to Usmanov’s statement on Wednesday, he says: “If a party appears who shares my and undoubtedly the majority of fans’ vision for the club, I could consider the question of selling my stake.”
So there’s certainly a possibility that someone else could buy the shares from Usmanov, but presumably only if Kroenke was willing to sell as well, otherwise the deal would be relatively pointless.
The Standard link Nigerian Aliko Dangote with a move for control, as he has spoken in the past about his desire to take over. However, that reportedly won’t happen until his company completes work on an oil refinery in Lagos.
So that’s where we’ve got to, for now.
Neither owner is willing to sell to the other, the fans probably wouldn’t be happy if they did, and third-party options seem like they’re far off in the future.
I think we may have to wait a while before anything changes unless Ivan finally finds where he put the catalyst he promised us.