Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote has
denied planning a move to buy a 15.9%
stake in Premier League side Arsenal.

Reports claimed he was interested in
Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith's shares,
which are available for about £100m.
In a statement, Dangote confirmed he
had "been involved in conversations
around investment in the past".

But he added: "I can say categorically at
this time that I have no intention of investing
in the club and will not be acquiring a stake."
Dangote, group president and chief executive
officer of the Dangote Group, 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 wealth was built on a business empire
that he founded in 1977 and now includes the
number one sugar production company in
Nigeria, a cement factory and textile products,
plus 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" and stated:
"It started in 1980 when I forged a
relationship with Mr David Dein, former vice-
chairman of the board of Arsenal."

Last month, Lady Bracewell-Smith instructed
UK brokers Blackstone to find a buyer, having
previously given up her place on the club's
board in 2008.

Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov are
Arsenal's two largest shareholders and it was
thought that her decision to sell might lead to
a bidding war between them.

US billionaire Kroenke owns 29.98% of the
club's shares, while Russian tycoon Usmanov
holds 26.29%, but if any shareholder's stake
reaches 30%, he or she is obliged to make a
takeover offer for the club.

Neither Kroenke - who also owns the NBA's
Denver Nuggets basketball franchise, Major
League Soccer's Colorado Rapids football club
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.
Dangote has ruled himself out but his
statement read: "I wish Arsenal Football Club
the best for the future and will continue to
follow the team as a fan."

According to the Daily Telegraph, Blackstone
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.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8701215.stm

If your news is true Definitely the man is a liar because I watch him on ARISE NEWS saying he Wish to buy it...even some expert was invited to Arise asking them if DANGOTE can avoid it. Or not

^^^ these shares mentionned (from Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith) have already been sold in 2011 to Kroenke who now owns about 63% of Arsenal, while Usmanov owns 15% and Moshiri 15%.

this is a 5yrs old BBC sport news, and not actual, NONSENSE!

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