Amid wide speculations about a possible Arsenal’s takeover by a UAE consortium is ruled out by the club’s spokesman citing his major stock holder Stan Kroenke is nowhere interested in selling his stake in the EPL club. Two of the biggest English newspapers recently reported that an Arab based consortium has offered almost double amount to take full control over Gunners. Moreover, reports also mentioned that consortium is even ready to bring major changes in the club by reducing ticket prices and selling players to increase its cash reserve. Recently, Arsenal behavior was widely criticized over its tickets price policy by fixing more than double amount for its home matches. Arsenal is reportedly having debts over 250 million and if such a deal takes place, it would have much cash reserves to clear all its debts coz the expected price being offered by consortium is around 1.5 billons. Since, all these rumors are based on media reports; no definite confirmation has been made ether from Arsenal or from Arab consortium.
Broadly, Arsenal’s ownership is divided among two concentrated investors: one is Stan Kroenke who holds 66.83% stake and another is Uzbek oil magnate Alisher Usmanov who is having a stake of 29.96%, and importantly, both of them have completely ruled out of selling any of their stakes. Likewise, Arsenal’s communications director Mark Gonnella also said, “There has been no contact from any potential investors. Stan Kroenke is committed to Arsenal for the long term and has no intention of selling his stake.”
Apparently, Arab consortium has offered around £20,000 per share which makes Stan Kroenke holding in the club worth £830 million, and if they manage to buy 100% stake, it will cost them around double to that of Arsenal’s valuation two years ago, though the offer is subjected to its qualification for next year’s Champions League. Hinting about the offer, a close source to consortium said, “Arsenal is at a pivotal position at the moment. The fear is that the club is facing a cycle of decline like Liverpool. From our point of view it is the perfect moment to make this bid because at this moment in time you can still genuinely justify this extraordinary valuation on the club. We will not bid for Arsenal if they go into decline. Kroenke and Usmanov will not get this kind of valuation if Arsenal do not succeed and will not get this kind of valuation ever again.
“We think that bidding now is the key because it is going to give every shareholder maximum value. We are giving them peak valuation. The amount of capital required to pump into Arsenal to make it competitive within England, Europe and the world means that the valuation cannot go any higher.”