Alisher Usmanov's grip on Arsenal is tightening with the Russian billionaire close to seizing full control of the club. Usmanov has steadily been gaining power at the Emirates, taking his initial purchase of 14.58 per cent in 2007 to 25.1 this year.
Now he is ready to buy another chunk of the club from former board member Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith. If successful, that will take him well over the 29.9 per cent mark and, under Stock Exchange rules, trigger an automatic takeover bid.
Usmanov, 55, made his fortune as a metal and mining mogul and has a reputation for being a hardman even among Russia's oligarchs. Before investing in Arsenal his only previous involvement in sport came as president of the Russian and European fencing associations.
SunSport believes Lady Bracewell-Smith is ready to sell her 15.9 per cent stake. If she dealt with Usmanov, that would make him the Gunners' biggest shareholder with 41 per cent. Arsenal's other major investors are Stan Kroenke (28.58) and Danny Fiszman (16.1).
The main focus remains on Usmanov and Kroenke. Both were introduced to Arsenal in 2007 by former vice-chairman David Dein and have raced each other to buy up shares. Usmanov has been operating outside of the club, while Kroenke has been embraced by the board.
Now not knowing awhole lot about Usmanov i did abit of research and soon found out our chubby little friend is a convicted criminal with sentences for rape and extortion. So in saying that can't say I'm much of a fan of Usmanov and would much rather see some one of the likes of Stan Kroenke take control; but beggers cannot be choosers and i definitely think going private is a step forward especially taking into consideration all the bickering the board seems to be doing. I wanna see someone take charge cause at the moment the board members are quiet content to just let thier pockets become bigger and don't understand to bring trophies to the Emirates there going to have to invest a little.
They too must understand that to remain in contention Arsenal cannot continually sell off thier stars for profit year in year out without putting it back into the squad, we need really get our priorites straight.
However on abit more of a positive note i cannot complain in the sense of a having a healthy balance sheet as were definitely have our finances in the right play with not a massive amount of debt like some other clubs *cough* Manchester United and Liverpool *cough*.
Anyways to rap it up what is your opinion? Usmanov Yes? No? take your fat ass as far as way from the club as possible? let me know...
- Anonymous
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