Stan Kroenke’s Arsenal Takeover Thwarted By Alisher Usmanov Refusing To Sell Shares

“We are excited about the opportunity to increase our involvement with and commitment to Arsenal,” Kroenke said in a statement. “Arsenal is a fantastic club with a special history and tradition and a wonderful manager in Arsène Wenger. We intend to build on this rich heritage and take the club to new success.”

“I am delighted that Peter Hill-Wood has agreed to support us by continuing as chairman. We especially wish to acknowledge and thank the board, Danny Fiszman and the Fiszman family as well as Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and her family for the confidence they have had in me over the past years and in allowing us to move forward in this more prominent role.”

According to reports, Kroenke, who also owns the Colorado Rapids (MLS), the St. Louis Rams (NFL), and the Denver Nuggets (NBA), is willing to pay up to £240M for the combined shares of Fiszman and Bracewell-Smith, which would put Arsenal’s overall valuation in the realm of £750M. Kroenke must now make an offer to buy the rest of the club’s shares, which includes Russian-based businessman Alisher Usmanov’s 27% stake. It’s unclear whether Usmanov would accept a bid for his shares at the current time.

While many foreign owners have assumed full control of a club and de-listed it from the stock market, it’s considered unlikely that Kroenke would do the same. However, until we have a confirmation of the news and the requisite press conferences, etc., it’s probably unwise to speculate on exactly what will happen with Arsenal going forward.