Arsenal’s minority owner, Alisher Usmanov, has said he is not in discussions with majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, about selling his stake in the club to the American.
Usmanov issued a statement on Wednesday, to address reports that Kroenke has made a £525million ($696.8m) offer for his 30% stake in the club.
The Russian billionaire made it clear he has no interest in selling to Kroenke, but that the offer he made to the American for his stake in May “remains valid.”
“In light of [reports], I would like to be clear that I am not holding any talks with Mr. Kroenke about a sale,” Usmanov’s statement read.
“My interest in Arsenal from the beginning was long term and my intention has always been to buy additional shares should they become available.
“This I did with the purchase of the stake of my business partner Farhad Moshiri with which I increased my shareholding from 15 percent to 30 percent, and also with my proposed offer for the stake of the majority shareholder which valued the Club at some £2billion ($2.65bn). That offer remains valid today.
“I have always been and will continue to be an ardent supporter of Arsenal and I see my 30 percent stake as an important aspect in protecting the best interests of the fans in the Club.”
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