By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Africa’s richest man and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has suggested he could reignite his interest in buying off the London-based team Arsenal FC.
Dangote is worth $11.5 billion (about USD 42.5 trillion) according to the Rich List. Many people expect the fortune to help him buy out Kroenke.
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The 63-year-old businessman was initially linked with a move to buy out Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith’s 15.9% shares in 2011. However, he later abandoned the deal to focus on his refinery project in Nigeria
However, with the project now nearing its completion, the business mogul might be ready for the takeover from Stan Kroenke at the Emirates Stadium.
Stan is an American businessman and is the current owner of the club. He also owns the LA Rams, an American Football team.
However, since his takeover, the 73-year-old American has come under heavy criticism for not putting money into the club thus the team’s poor performance over the years.
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Dangote also indicated that he would hope to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around, should he become the club’s owner. While it has been one of the most successful sides in the modern English football era, Arsenal last won the English Premier League in 2004 and has never won the UEFA Champion’s League, Europe’s top competition.
“It’s not about buying Arsenal and just continuing with business as usual, It’s about buying Arsenal and turning it around. I’ve run a very successful business and I think I can also run a very successful team.” Dangote said.
“It is a team that yes I would like to buy someday. But what I keep saying is we have $20 billion 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 sometime in 2021 we can”. Dangote added.
“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,” he added.
American sports mogul Stan Kroenke, worth an estimated $7.4 billion, is currently the majority shareholder in Arsenal Holdings Plc—the club’s parent company with a 67 percent stake.
