Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal power games continue as Alisher Usmanov aims to up stake to see off potential takeover
Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov wants to up his stake in the club and help see off threats of a takeover. [LNB]The Russian billionaire wants to take his near 27 per cent holding to 29.9 per cent, which would put him above American Stan Kroenke in the Emirates Stadium power stakes. [LNB]The pair have both steadily increased their stakes over the last few years, prompting speculation of a takeover, but Usmanov told Russian TV he was happy to work in partnership with the current key players rather than buyout the Gunners.[LNB] Big guns: Usmanov and Kroenke are the major shareholders in Arsenal[LNB] 'The goal is to increase the holding up to a blocking stake, 29.9 percent,' said Usmanov. 'Afterwards, we'll see what to do further. If all the shareholders are united by then like they are now, we'll keep it as that level.' [LNB]Usmanov, through Red & White Holdings, first bought into Arsenal when purchasing former vice-president David Dein's shares in August 2007. The Barclays Premier League club have failed to win a trophy since then, but Usmanov has no regrets. [LNB]'I chose to invest significant money in Arsenal because I consider it to be one the world's most well-structured football clubs, with one of the best stadiums and led by a genius coach, Arsene Wenger,' he said. 'I don't regret this investment. It's not dropping in value, it's rising only.' [LNB] Stake holders: Usmanov (left) and Kroenke (right)[LNB]Behind Usmanov and Kroenke, Danny Fiszman owns 16.11 per cent and Nina Bracewell-Smith has a 15.90 per cent holding. Bracewell-Smith put her stake up for sale in April and if any of the other three main investors were to buy Bracewell-Smith's stake it would break the 30 per cent threshold to trigger a mandatory takeover bid. [LNB]At the current price, Arsenal has a market value of £692million. In September, Arsenal Holdings said its fiscal-year profit increased 73 per cent to a record £61m. [LNB] Mario Balotelli insists he's better than Rooney, Fabregas (and he's never even heard of Wilshere) after winning Golden Boy awardLazio ready to rescue Bendtner from Arsenal as striker hints at exitBarca lower sights to £10m Denilson as Fabregas deal is threatenedARSENAL FC
