American sports mogul, Stan Kroenke, is on the verge of a complete takeover at Arsenal after reports are confirming that after reaching deals with Danny Fiszman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith for control of 16.1% owned by Fiszman and 15.9% owned by Bracewell-Smith.
In total, Kroenke would control 62.89% of the London-based club. This would see Kroenke passing the 62% threshold, and under stock market rules, a takeover bid would be triggered. He has already agreed to terms for the remaining stock in the club which values the club at £731 million.
This would see the Gunners fall into the ranks of American-owned teams in the Premier League along with Manchester United, Liverpool, Sunderland and Aston Villa.
What started out as a 9.9% share in 2007 has blossomed into an enormous bid that has Kroenke promising to end Arsenal's trophy drought.
Here are some other stories from around the world to keep you informed on the going-ons overseas:
VAN GAAL SHOWN EXIT AT BAYERN MUNICH
Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal was axed by the German giants just 24 hours after their disappointing 1-1 draw with Nurnberg.
Last year, Van Gaal led Bayern to the Bundesliga title as well as the Champions League final. However, this campaign has been littered with setbacks and the former league winners now find themselves just outside the Champions League qualifying places.
In his stead, assistant manager, Andries Jonker, has stepped in to one of the biggest hot seats in world soccer.
Jonker's first match in charge will be against Bayer Leverkusen next Sunday at home in the Allianz Arena.
IBRAHIMOVIC SET FOR ANOTHER SUSPENSION
The big Swedish striker looks set to face yet another ban from play with AC Milan after his red card received over the weekend in Milan's 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.
Ibrahimovic, prone to being outspoken, was sent off on Sunday for insulting the linesman, who gave a throw-in against the Rossoneri.
In a press conference after the game, Ibrahimovic stated that the insult was not aimed at the linesman but at himself for failing to handle the ball properly against two opponents.
A one-game suspension is certain since his previous ban also carried a caution to which he on Sunday added a yellow card.
Two more can be handed for his dismissal, which would sideline him for games against bottom-feeders Brescia, Sampdoria and mid-table Bologna.
SANTA CRUZ WANTED BACK AT BLACKBURN
Roque Santa Cruz left Ewood Park in 2009 for the Eastlands at Manchester City, but has since returned on loan from City.
In his first stint with Rovers, the Paraguayan had a sensational run of form, netting 23 goals in 57 games. His move to City did not bring the same rewards as Santa Cruz was only able to net three goals in 20 appearances.
However, current Rovers boss, Steve Kean, has revealed that he would "love" to sign the striker on a permanent basis as Blackburn are involved in a large relegation battle in the Premier League.
RAFAEL SOLE INJURY DOUBT FOR UNITED
Manchester United are set to take on fellow British side Chelsea in a rematch from last week's hugely controversial Champions League game in London.
The penalty that never was (but probably should have been) saw Chelsea fall 0-1 courtesy of a Wayne Rooney strike in the first half.
The news gets better for the Red Devils as it has emerged that the only "serious" doubt for Tuesday's clash is 20-year-old defender, Rafael. The young Brazilian looks set to give up his spot to Irishman John O'Shea, who can be sure that Chelsea will put some significant pressure on him in the United back line.
Freddy Adu is making the bench for his club team.
I believe it’s called a “molesterstache.” 🙂
Ok I laughed..
But he did win the league last year, and lead his team to the champions league final. I don’t think we have to worry about him being with the USMNT, though.
I think if we told him we have no dress code, he would salivate at the chance wear sweat pants to matches.
Have you ever seen Phil Knight? They could be related.
Kind of funny, but I’m not sure that second place qualifies as mediocrity. Point taken though.
Why would he want the US job?
Too late for Arsenal to fall into mediocrity dude.
Seriously, that was my first thought. Has he worked very hard to cultivate a child molester look?
que the porn soundtrack. “Bow chichi pow chichi pow pow”
I was referring to my favorite player of all time : Freddy Adu.
In fact you are the first person to mention Michael Bradley. Can you please pick a new topic to be overly sensitive to?
I’m a HUGE BB fan, obviously. Hence my username…
exactly what i was thinking…a perv. Though the percentages arent as high as for dudes who pluck their eyebrows being sexual pervs (gay or straight), dudes who retain their moustaches still have a high rate of perversion (kiddie porn dudes, date rapist, high school prowlers, gay or straight dudes w/moustaches tend to be pervy, studies show).
my dad had sunglasses just like those. Back in the 70’s.
(they aren’t clip-ons, actually, they are hinged 🙂 )
I just read his bio on wikipedia. strikes me as a full circle kind of guy. father in law owns walmart, he builds the plaza’s. He owns stadiums, ticketing companies, starts a tv station for his team.. any peripheral business he can get into he does.
One of the knocks on arsenal (aside from trophies) is their inability to take the brand global. I have the feeling we’re going to see a much stronger partnership working between Rapids and Arsenal.. and even the Rams. And the emergence of a couple ‘new’ London companies that cater to Arsenal.
“My advice? Marry one of Sam Walton’s daughters.”
Seriously, does someone really need to bring this up on every single SBI post? I think everyone in the world knows by now that Michael Bradley’s Villa loan isn’t going well. Can we please pick a new topic to harp on for a while?
The soundtrack when I see this photo is heavy on the Barry White for sure.
+1
I was living in Barcelona when Louis Van Gaal coached the squad (for the second time) and he was a disaster. Not only did the squad perform horribly all season, but Van Gaul spends his entire press conferences berading the press. Think “the US losing 2-0 to El Salvador at home and the coach blaming every thing under the sun except himself.”…that’s LVG. I think finished somewhere in the mid table and never had one exciting, attacking performance the entire season. He then took over the Dutch National team and failed to qualify for the 2002 WC.
“Yeah, that’s right, clip on shades and a bedazzled T-shirt.”
He built that stadium and surrounding fields. Does he not market the team well or what? Just asking, I really don’t follow the Rapids.
This has Gillette, Hicks, and Glazers written all over it.
At least he’ll fit with Wenger in the don’t spend any money category.
looks like nicholas cage to me…
Mr. Kroenke, why don’t you take a seat over there?
+1 Beat me to it. Like a cross between a porn star and the uni-bomber.
+1
Kroenke resembles Lester (Sharon Stone’s pimp boyfriend from Casino.)
Not exactly on topic but yeah, I can see that in his future. Never would have guessed I’d feel that way before he took the RSL job
+1
Not that I would know, of course…
jason kreis for head coach of usmnt?
The Stan Kroenke Story (aka you too can marry into the WalMart fortune) Poor, Poor Arsenal sorry about your luck(or lack of)
Anyone else think Kroenke looks like an 80s porn star in this picture?
Nooooooooooooo!!!!
Van Gaal will spend every press conference telling the media why the problem is that the players can’t run things the proper way like they did at Barcelona!
Van Gaal is a good manager in the right situation, but the US is not that situation, and when it comes to actually coaching and teaching the game he is horrible.
Only if there’s a guarantee LVG would permanently start certain player that’s not even making the bench for his club team.
Are any Prem clubs owned by Englishman? Guess Arsenal may come state side sometime soon.
What this means is we desperately need a caption contest for this image.
I’ll start: “I know who you are. You’re Chris Hansen from that show. Can I just leave? I promise to never do this again ”
Stan certainly seems to have the 70’s porn star look going on.
Nothing scares the s*** out of you first thing in the morning than seeing Kroenke’s mug staring right back atchya.
Van Gaal for USA job; nothing against Bradley but fresh blood needed; hard to see improvement on 2nd consecutive world cup cycle
USMNT, meet Louis Van Gaal.
Um, based on that Casey’s running cant compare to Pires’s style
As an Arsenal fan, I’m definitely a bit worried about the Kroenke takeover. The Nuggets, The Avalanche, and The Rams are all mediocre franchises and I hope their fate doesn’t befall Arsenal under Kroenke’s stewardship.
I would prefer it if Kroenke invested more in his MLS team.
Does this mean Conor Casey could suit up for Arsenal? Could you imagine the Casey shuffle… er… running style… in the Champions League?