Why I can’t buy Arsenal now —Aliko Dangote

Why I can’t buy Arsenal now —Aliko Dangote

Abdullateef Fowewe

Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed why can’t afford to buy Arsnal currently.

Dangote in an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua in New York, expressed regrets for not buying the Premier League Football Club, Arsenal when he had the chance.

He recounted that in 2020, he made known his intention to go for the North London club after his refinery project stating that his financial focus at the time was on his refinery project in Nigeria, which was a higher priority for him.

Dangote has, however, revealed that he regrets not buying the club when it was worth $2 billion, adding that it would be of no use purchasing the club since its value has hit $4 billion counting that the club is currently doing extremely well than before.

Dangote said, “I think that time has passed. The last time when we had this interview, I told you as soon as I finish with the refinery, I am going to try and buy Arsenal. But you know everything has gone up and the club too is doing very well, Arsenal is doing extremely well right now. That time Arsenal wasn’t doing well.

“I think I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion so to speak and use it as a promotional something.

“But what I will do is to continually be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their games anytime they are playing. So, I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal.

“Actually, I regret not buying it before but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (Dangote refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2 billion but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, It was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”