Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has learnt that a possible Arsenal FC takeover in 2021 could cost up to £2 billion.
Dangote is a huge admirer of the North London club.
He has hinted he could buy Arsenal in 2021, if a number of multi-billion dollar projects for his company, Dangote Group, are completed on time.
Head of the football division for UK company, Ineos – owners of Ligue 1 side Nice – Bob Ratcliffe, told the Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit that a takeover of a ‘top six’ club would cost at least £2 billion.
He, however, said a move for a team elsewhere in the Premier League would cost between £150 million and £350 million.
“They’re all for sale,” he was quoted saying.
Dangote is currently on a net worth of over £8.5 billion ($11 billion) and has been heavily linked with a takeover at Arsenal in the past, with the club currently owned by Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.
With Dangote working to launch the largest single-train refinery in the world later this year in Lekki, Lagos, he might be in a position to take over from the majority shareholder at Emirates Stadium, Stan Kroenke.
