Usmanov increases Arsenal Stake

by David on April 19, 2010

The latest twist in the Arsenal ownership saga occurred last week with the news that Alisher Usmanov has increased his stake in Arsenal.

The Russian-based businessman bought 37 shares at a rate of £10,500 each to raise his holding in the club to 26.31%.

Usmanov issues a statement about the purchase saying that he was “a committed long-term investor in Arsenal” which “retains all its options” and stressed that “no particular course of action is ruled in or out”.

U.S. billionaire Stan Kroenke, who has a 29.98% stake in Arsenal could not buy these shares as they would have taken him over the 30% level and forced him to make an offer for the club.

Kroenke has also been busy in the US where he is in the process of buying the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. Billionaire or not, it is difficult to buy two top sports teams at the same time, and the Rams purchase might indicate that Kroenke is not looking to launch a takeover of Arsenal this summer as had been previously expected.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

nicky April 19, 2010 at 12:16 pm

So now we have two foreign investors with over 56% of the Club’s shares between them. I would like to see them set up some sort of a cooperative with the much missed David Dein as Chairman. We would then see a modernistic outlook to the Club’s future.

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CS1 April 19, 2010 at 1:53 pm

Alisher Usmanov needs to F-OFF and leave Arsenal alone, F**K these foreign owners. why don’t we do what they do in Germany, 51% of ownership has to be by a German. I’m not English by the Way, i just hate when greedy people always try getting involved in things and places they are not welcomed.

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