Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has explained when he’ll buy Arsenal, according to reports by UK newspaper, Mirror.
Aliko Dangote has been Africa’s Richest Man for the past 11 years and the billionaire has regularly spoken about wanting to buy Arsenal – although the Kroenke’s are adamant the club is not for sale.
rsenal’s ownership under the Kroenke’s has been a rocky road. The American businessman became majority shareholder of the Gunners in 2011 and the club have since found success hard to come by.
That has led to spells of discontent amongst fans, as well as interested parties throwing their hat into the ring to buy the club.
Last year, in the wake of the European Super League scandal, Swedish businessman and Spotify founder Daniel Ek launched a high-profile takeover bid which was abruptly turned down.
The Kroenke’s insisted at the time that the club is not for sale under any circumstances, issuing a statement saying: “In recent days we have noted media speculation regarding a potential takeover bid for Arsenal Football Club. We remain 100% committed to Arsenal and are not selling any stake in the Club. We have not received any offer and we will not entertain any offer.”
Whilst the Kroenke’s resisted that £1.8billion offer and look set to maintain the same stance, they could have another takeover proposal to consider in the near future.
That’s because Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has regularly stated his desire to try and buy the club.
Speaking in January 2020, he outlined he would look at launching a takeover as soon as he finished other projects he was working on.
At that time, he suggested 2021 as a potential target date, but that has now passed and the timeline of his other projects is unclear.
Speaking in 2020, Dangote said of Arsenal: ”It is a team that yes I would like to buy some day, but what I keep saying is we have $20billion worth of projects and that’s what I really want to concentrate on.
“I’m trying to finish building the company and then after we finish, maybe some time in 2021 we can.
“I’m not buying Arsenal right now, I’m buying Arsenal when I finish all these projects, because I’m trying to take the company to the next level.”
Dangote and other interested parties have been told exactly how much it would likely cost to takeover the Gunners – or another ‘big six’ club.
In March 2020, Bob Ratcliffe – head of the football division for Ineos and brother of Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed: “They’re all for sale”
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