Nigerian tycoon 'joins race for stake in Arsenal'
A billionaire Nigerian tycoon is planning to enter the race to snap up a 16% stake in Arsenal, according to a report today.
Aliko Dangote – one of Africa’s richest men – is said to have registered his interest in the shareholding being sold by the club’s fourth largest investor Nina Bracewell-Smith, according to The Sunday Times.
The move could spark a takeover battle for the Gunners, with other contenders including its two biggest current investors – who would be forced to launch a full takeover bid for the club if they secured the stake.
Mr Dangote is reportedly a passionate football fan and has the wealth to go head-to-head with the two big Arsenal investors, American sports entrepreneur Stan Kroenke and Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov.
The Nigerian industrialist has stood for the role of president of the Nigerian football association and is believed to have donated cash to the Nigerian national football team.
Mr Dangote founded manufacturing empire Dangote Group and was formerly head of the Nigerian stock exchange.
Finance house Blackstone is now thought to have placed him on the shortlist to buy the Arsenal stake.
Bracewell-Smith is said to be seeking £160m (€184m) for her stake after putting it on the sale block earlier this year.
