Nigerian Billionaire Arsenal Fan Aliko Dangote Wants Arsene Wenger Out

Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has said his first order of business when he buys Arsenal Football Club would be to sack Arsene Wenger.

Africa’s richest man who is also a huge Arsenal fan has never hidden his desire to buy the north London outfit as well as his criticism for the French manager.

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Speaking to Bloomberg, Dangote said he would make his move once the construction of an $11 billion oil refinery in Lagos is completed. He also spoke hypothetically about what he would do if he was to take over at the Emirates.

“The first thing I would change is the coach,” the Nigerian tycoon was quoted as saying. “He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.”

Back in 2015 when news first broke of his interest to purchase the club, Dangote advised Arsene Wenger to change his style of play which did not seem to be successful at the time.

The 60-year-old would have to prize out the club from current owner Stan Kroenke who has no plans to sell.

Kroenke owns 67 percent of Arsenal with Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov in control of a 30 percent stake. The latter has in the past launched takeover bids, most recently in May when he offered the American $1.3bn to sell his shares.

Kroenke instead issued a statement reiterating his plans to be with Arsenal for the long-term.

Dangote, however, believes he would be able to tempt both stakeholders into doing business with him.

“If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away. 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.”

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Aliko Dangote according to Forbes Magazine has a fortune believed to total around $12.9 billion.

His company, the Dangote Group, was established as a small trading firm in 1977 but is today a multi-billion dollar conglomerate with many of its operations spread all across Africa.