Arsenal takeover: Daniel Ek now 'fighting losing battle' as new 'leverage' claim emerges | OneFootball

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GiveMeSport

·17 October 2021

Arsenal takeover: Daniel Ek now 'fighting losing battle' as new 'leverage' claim emerges

Article image:Arsenal takeover: Daniel Ek now 'fighting losing battle' as new 'leverage' claim emerges

Daily Star journalist Paul Brown believes Daniel Ek is "fighting a losing battle" in his bid to become the new owner of Arsenal.

The club's current owner, Stan Kroenke, has worked behind the scenes at the Emirates since 2008, and Brown does not expect him to move on any time soon.


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What's the latest on Arsenal's potential takeover?

Having initially joined the board of directors at Arsenal, Kroenke became a majority shareholder at the club in 2011, and then bought out Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov in 2018 to take full control.

However, his authority did seem to be in question following the failed attempt to force through the European Super League earlier this year, with Spotify CEO, Ek, declaring his interest in replacing Kroenke at the helm at Arsenal.

The 38-year-old claimed in May that he had a £1.8m bid rejected by Kroenke in May, and things seem to have quietened down with regards to a potential takeover since then.

Article image:Arsenal takeover: Daniel Ek now 'fighting losing battle' as new 'leverage' claim emerges

What has Brown said about Ek's takeover bid?

Brown acknowledges that Ek does appear to be serious about buying the club, but he is unconvinced that the Swedish entrepreneur will be successful as he feels that Kroenke, who also receives help from his son, Josh, in running Arsenal, fully intends to remain in his role.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Absolutely nothing suggests that the Kroenke’s want out of Arsenal, and I can’t say that Daniel Ek believes otherwise, really. Let’s for argument’s sake say he’s serious about this, presumably he is because he’s made bids for the club. I don’t see what leverage he has to get the Kroenke’s to sell.

“There isn’t really that much pressure on their heads to leave the club, and they’re clearly reaping profit from Arsenal. They like having it as part of a portfolio of sporting clubs. I don’t really see any reason for them to sell.

“People were trying to hound them out not so long ago when people were protesting outside, and they’ve kind of seen that off. So, I think Daniel Ek’s fighting a losing battle here, really.”

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What could happen next?

As Brown alluded to, the potential takeover seems to have lost momentum in recent months. Ek may need to launch another bid soon if he really wants to sort out a deal with the Kroenkes.

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Article image:Arsenal takeover: Daniel Ek now 'fighting losing battle' as new 'leverage' claim emerges

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Arsenal arguably had their best transfer window for some time in the summer as well, spending £142m, indicating that the Kroenkes are willing to put money into the club, which may appease the fans for the moment.

As things stand, it is a waiting game. Either Ek returns with an improved offer, or the Kroenkes continue their long-running tenure at Arsenal unchallenged.

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