Africa’s richest man and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, a devoted Gunners fan, has disclosed his intention to acquire Arsenal Football Club.
The Nigerian billionaire, aged 62, with a net worth of over £8.5 billion, has long been strategizing to take over from the present owner, Stan Kroenke.
Previously, he had pledged a bid for takeover in 2020, but owing to the ongoing construction of his Dangote Refinery, he has postponed the date to 2021.
‘It is a team that, yes, I would like to buy someday, but what I keep saying is we have $20 billion worth of projects and that’s what I really want to concentrate on,’ Dangote shared with the David Rubenstein Show.
‘I’m trying to finish building the company and then after we finish, maybe some time in 2021 we can.
‘I’m not buying Arsenal right now, I’m buying Arsenal when I finish all these projects because I’m trying to take the company to the next level.’
Arsenal is currently placed 10th in the Premier League, and there are positive signs for the club since the appointment of Mikel Arteta, who succeeded former manager Unai Emery following his dismissal in November 2019.