Dangote Starts Arsenal Takeover Talks With Stan Kroenke?

Aliko Dangote, who is the richest man in Africa, has made no secret in the past of his desire to buy out Stan Kroenke at Arsenal and become the owner at the Emirates Stadium.

Talks over a potential takeover at Arsenal could start up in the not too distant future.

In June 2015, Dangote admitted he was interested in buying Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith’s 15.9% stake in 2011, which were eventually purchased by Stan Kroenke.

“We backtracked because we were very busy doing other things, especially our industrialisation.”

In September 2016, he stated that a takeover would be a question of timing rather than money.  

“It’s not about buying Arsenal and just continuing with business as usual,” Dangote said.  

“It’s about buying Arsenal and turning it around.”

In August 2017, he mentioned the conclusion of the oil refinery as the key time, saying: “I don’t want to go after Arsenal until I deliver the refinery. Once I deliver, I will go after Arsenal.”

Dangote is the 206th richest man in the world according to the Forbes Rich List, with a net worth of $11.8billion and has openly stated that the conclusion of his oil refinery in Lagos, Nigeria would be the time when he would think about Arsenal once more.

And that time is edging ever closer.  

According to The Africa Report, the refinery is set to be operational in “early 2021”, meaning Dangote could start talks with Kroenke over a takeover in north London. 

A timeline of “early 2021” would suggest that the project will be completed at the latest before the end of June and Arsenal fans will be interested to see if Dangote keeps to his word that he will make a move for the Gunners then.

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