Aliko Dangote interested in Arsenal stake

[Executive]

Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote is considering a move to buy a 15.9% stake in the club."Yes, he is interested," confirmed the 53-year-old billionaire's spokesman Joseph Okonmah.Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith's shares are currently on the market with a price tag thought to be worth almost £100m.Last month she instructed UK brokers Blackstone to find a buyer, having previously given up her place on the club's board in 2008.

Dangote is reputed to be Africa's richest man, with Forbes magazine in the United States estimating his fortune two years ago at $3.3bn (£2.3bn).

His fortune was built on a business empire which he founded in 1977 and now includes the number one sugar production company in Nigeria, a cement factory and textile products, and he was made a Commander of the Order of the Niger five years ago.  

He recently told Nigerian newspaper ThisDay that he had been an Arsenal supporter for a "long time", adding: "It started in 1980 when I forged a relationship with Mr David Dein, former vice chairman of the board of Arsenal.

"Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov and Arsenal's two largest shareholders and it was thought that Lady Bracewell-Smith's decision to sell might start a bidding war between them.US billionaire Kroenke owns 29.98% of the club's shares, while Russian tycoon Usmanov holds holds 26.29%, but if any shareholder's stake reaches 30%, he or she has to make a takeover offer for the club.

Neither Kroenke, who also owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets basketball side, the Colorado Rapids MLS football team, and a stake in the NFL's St Louis Rams American football team, nor Usmanov has so far been willing to take that step.And Blackstone, who have been advising Lady Bracewell-Smith for several months, have been looking for an appropriate alternative buyer.According to the Daily Telegraph, the company has also spoken to consortiums in Eastern Europe and the Far East but the Arsenal Supporters' Trust is urging Lady Bracewell-Smith to lower the asking price for her 9,893 shares.

[*Nobleman*]

Intresting. I'd laugh if he promises investment, but first arsenal gotta send him there banking details or send a million so he can release the funds

[Executive]

one of nigerian friends used to always talk about him at uni. I hope he buys that stake instead of the current owners increasing their shareholding.

[1-Londoner]

Fug this shidh. No Nigerian will be handling any Arsenal funds.