Speculation that Arsenal
may soon be the subject of a takeover bid has been further fuelled
by the news that American billionaire Stan Kroenke has increased
his stake in the club to 12.19 per cent.
The spectre of a possible hostile takeover has been hanging over
the club since Gunners vice-chairman David Dein sensationally
departed on Wednesday after apparently falling out with his fellow
board members over whether to welcome Kroenke's advances.
Following the news of Dein's shock exit, chairman Peter Hill-Wood
insisted that the historic club's board would not be looking to
sell their shares and that any hostile takeover from Kroenke would
be stringently resisted.
However, the club will now be forced to deal with renewed
speculation regarding the possibility of Kroenke taking control
after his Kroenke Sports Enterprises group increased their holding
to 12.19%.
The American became a major player at Emirates Stadium when
purchasing ITV's 9.9% stake on April 12th, with Arsenal director
Danny Fiszman also selling Kroenke around 1% of his own
holding.
