Nigerian
billionaire and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has
reiterated his plan to buy English Premier League giants, Arsenal.
Mr.
Dangote said he would make an offer to the owner of the club, Stan
Kroenke, after completing the new refinery that his group is building in
Lagos.
He told Bloomberg: “The first thing I would change is the
coach. He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his
luck.” Mr. Wenger has been the manager of Arsenal for 21 years and is
the longest-serving manager of any side in Europe.
Fan protests
against his rule rumbled on throughout last season but the Frenchman
agreed a two-year contract extension last May. Mr. Kroenke had earlier
this year turned down a one billion pound takeover offer of the club
from his fellow shareholder, Alisher Usmanov. .
But Mr. Dangote,
60, apparently believes he can persuade the billionaire shareholders.
“If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away,” he said.
“Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away.
“And
when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do
that. It’s a great team, well-run. It could be run better, so I will be
there. I will wait. Even if things change I will take it.”