Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has upped his stake
in Arsenal to "over 27%".
Red & White Holdings Limited - which is jointly owned by the
Usbek oil magnate and Farhad Moshiri - made the brief announcement
today, but did not give any details as to the additional stock
acquired.
American Stan Kroenke remains the largest individual shareholder
in the Barclays Premier League club, with 29.9%.
Under the strict financial rules of the City, were any party to
cross the 29.99% takeover threshold, they he would be obliged to
make a formal offer for the remainder of the shares.
The news Usmanov - who, unlike Kroenke, does not yet have a seat
on the Arsenal board - has continued his steady accumulation will
add further speculation that the Gunners, currently the only one of
the 'big five' not in foreign ownership, are set for more changes
behind the scenes.
However, during April 2010, the Red & White group released a
statement maintaining that a full-blown offer was not on their
agenda and they remained "a committed long-term investor in
Arsenal".
Former director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith put her family's 15.9%
stake up for sale in April, and these latest dealings could be the
result of some minor tradings.
Non-executive director Danny Fiszman, who controls 16% of
shares, is the club's other major shareholder.
Usmanov has long called for Arsenal to invest heavily in the
team, but in 2009 saw his proposed rights issue to generate new
cash turned down in favour of the status quo which sees the
Emirates Stadium club remain self-financing as they bid to end six
years without a trophy.
Red & White Holdings had argued the scheme would help to
reduce both the long-term debt of some £400million, which is mainly
associated with the new stadium, and also hand manager Arsene
Wenger extra transfer funds.
In the six months to November 30 2010, Arsenal announced an
overall loss of £2.5million, but their football-related profit is
£9.3million, compared to £18million for the same period a year
before.
On the pitch, Wenger's men have endured a testing few weeks
which saw them suffer a shock Carling Cup final defeat to
Birmingham at Wembley, before then crashing out of Europe in
Barcelona and the FA Cup at Manchester United.
Heading into the international break, Arsenal trail Premier
League leaders United by five points, but hold a game in hand.
However, should the Gunners win all of their remaining nine
league fixtures, which include a trip to north London rivals
Tottenham before a May 1 showdown with United, then they will be
champions.