Al Hashimi And Kroenke To Check Out Gunners
THE race is on to make Arsenal the latest Premiership giant to succumb to foreign money.
With American billionaire Stan Kroenke continuing to sniff around the Emirates stadium, news that Mohammed Al Hashimi, the executive chairman of Dubai-based Zabeel Investments, is pondering a bid for the famous club will no doubt increase the pressure on the Gunners board of directors.
Al Hashimi originally had Liverpool in his sights, but after losing out to Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks, he is now targeting Arsenal, a club already linked to a takeover bid from Kroenke.
The publicity-shy Kroenke’s interest in Arsenal lead to boardroom unrest and the subsequent departure of influential vice-chairman David Dein, the man who brought Arsene Wenger to the club. Since then, Arsenal’s future has looked rather less certain, with question marks hanging over the long term futures of Wenger and star players such as Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas.
However, with their new Emirates stadium and strong global image, Arsenal remain a highly attractive proposition and Al Hashimi doesn’t seem to have been put off by his Liverpool failure.
“I know the owners are very reluctant to sell but I see Arsenal as a very profitable club,” says Al Hashimi. “Liverpool was an opportunity which does not come along every day but we have to move on.”
With the financial muscle of the Dubai government behind him, Al Hashimi could well make a tempting offer. However, Arsenal’s board of old Etonians, bluebloods and traditionalists will still need a lot of convincing.
Posted: 11th, June 2007 | In: Money Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
