Alisher Usmanov reveals he WILL sell his Arsenal shares… but NOT to Stan Kroenke
ALISHER USMANOV has ruled out selling any of his Arsenal shares to co-owner Stan Kroenke.
Earlier this week it was revealed Kroenke was prepared to pay £525m to buy out Usmanov's 30 per cent stake.
But that deal is seemingly dead in the water.
BBC journalist Dan Roan revealed on Twitter a statement from Usmanov accepting that the rumours of a bid will have caused some "anxiety" among Arsenal supporters.
He then confirmed that he is "not holding any talks with Kroenke about a sale".
He then adds: I would like to assure supporters that I am open to various future scenarios.
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"A constructive partnership with the majority shareholder, the purchase of his stake either alone or in a consortium, or if a party appears who shares my and undoubtedly the majority of the fans' vision for the club, I could consider the question of selling my stake."
Usmanov adds that by keeping his 30 per cent share he is "protecting the best interests of Arsenal fans at the club", and that his views "differ from that of the majority shareholder".
Usmanov has made a number of attempts to buy-out the American with the last being turned down in May.
But the Guardian are now reporting the battle of the billionaires has taken a twist with Kroenke offering Usmanov £28,000 per share for his 30.4 per cent stake.
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Usmanov, from Uzbekistan, put a whopping £1BILLION offer on the table for Kroenke's 67 per cent stake which was promptly rejected by Kroenke.
Kroenke first bought shares in Arsenal in 2007, when he bought 9.9 per cent of the club.
Since then he has gone on to invest around £700million in the club.
But if the Gunners became a privately owned company, there would be the chance for less transparency between members and the board.
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