THE SUBTLE manoeuvring within the Arsenal boardroom has taken another twist after the American billionaire Stan Kroenke, the club’s largest shareholder, increased his stake to 28.58 per cent to edge closer to the 30 per cent threshold that would demand he make an offer for the remaining shares.
Kroenke purchased a further 160 shares yesterday, at €9,900 each, to reinforce his position as the club’s major shareholder. The move came just two days after the second largest shareholder, the Uzbek metals magnate Alisher Usmanov, was dismayed to see an offer to underwrite a rights issue that would have generated some €70 million for transfers and eaten into the club’s €465 million debts rejected by board members.
Usmanov admitted his frustration at seeing his scheme thrown out, with the chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, insistent that Arsenal’s current strategy – whereby the Emirates Stadium is essentially self-financing and transfer spending is less lavish – is “efficient” and would remain their favoured policy. That difference in opinion continues to simmer while Kroenke, who has indicated in the past that he does not intend to mount a takeover of the north London club, has quietly added to his stake.
Arsenal’s own squad strengthening continues with the club hopeful of securing the St-Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi for around €3.5 million. The 22-year-old midfielder, a regular at the French club last season and a France under-21 international, has spent the last few days in talks in London and should join the Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, an €11.5 million acquisition from Ajax, at the Emirates next season.
Meanwhile, with any takeover of Newcastle United unlikely to materialise until next week at the very earliest, one potential buyer did at least break cover yesterday.
Steve McMahon said that the Singapore-based investment company, The Profitable Group, has submitted a bid for the newly relegated club. Now The Profitable Group’s commercial director, McMahon, the former Liverpool and England midfielder, says its first act would be to appoint Alan Shearer as manager.
Even so, sources have suggested Profitable is not a major contender to buy out Mike Ashley, and question why McMahon would breach the non-disclosure agreements which were supposed to bind all would-be purchasers to secrecy.
“We’ve had a bid in and it’s under serious consideration,” McMahon told Singapore’s Straits Times. “It’s a strategic move and will be great for Newcastle. We can turn what is a disaster at the moment into a success.”
While it is understood Seymour Pierce, the investment bank brokering the sale, have yet to recommend a buyer to Ashley, the feeling is that one consortium from Malaysia and another from the United States remain in pole position.
In the meantime Chris Hughton, Newcastle’s caretaker manager, is in Dublin with his squad ahead of today’s opening pre-season friendly with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
“The feeling is that it (a takeover) is hopefully not too far away,” said Hughton yesterday. “But until I’m told otherwise I’m here to hold the fort for as long as possible. It does seem like there are things going on, though, and, obviously, the sooner something happens, the better for all concerned.
“As far as I know there have been at least two parties who have made an offer and I could be in charge for another two days, another four days or a bit longer. But I would have thought something would happen sooner rather than later.”
Everton have re-signed Brazilian striker Jo on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
The 22-year-old spent five months on loan from Eastlands at Goodison Park last term, and the former CSKA Moscow player – an €21 million signing for City last summer – will spend the next 12 months with the FA Cup finalists.
Jo scored five times in 12 appearances for Everton last season, but his future at City was put in doubt by the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn.
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