Could we be next?

[Rewinder]

With Liverpool about to be taken over by the Prince of Dubai, and ManUtd, Chelsea already taken over, is there a chance we could be next? Aston Villa, Portsmouth and West Ham have also been taken over, so that leaves us as the only "star" team still left.

There aren't any other clubs left to purchase that an owner could make a real profit on other than Arsenal, and the fact that we have a large amount of outstanding debt makes us a prime target. Is it just a question of "when" rather than "if" regarding someone purchasies arsenal? Of the top 8 clubs on table, only us and everton will not have a sugar daddy ower as soon as the liverpool deal is wrapped up in january.

I'm guessing that as we approach our first round of debt payments, we may see some offers come in to purchase the club.

[Miles Brasher]

With Liverpool about to be taken over by the Prince of Dubai, and ManUtd, Chelsea already taken over, is there a chance we could be next? Aston Villa, Portsmouth and West Ham have also been taken over, so that leaves us as the only "star" team still left.

There aren't any other clubs left to purchase that an owner could make a real profit on other than Arsenal, and the fact that we have a large amount of outstanding debt makes us a prime target. Is it just a question of "when" rather than "if" regarding someone purchasies arsenal? Of the top 8 clubs on table, only us and everton will not have a sugar daddy ower as soon as the liverpool deal is wrapped up in january.

I'm guessing that as we approach our first round of debt payments, we may see some offers come in to purchase the club.

The only club to have a 'sugar daddy' is Chelsea. None of the others have got a benefactor that'll throw silly money at them, although Portsmouth being the one that has benefitted the most, they do have a sugar daddy at a lower level than Roman.

Anyone buying the Arsenal is very unlikely though. Very unlikely indeed.

[thebigman]

mandaric still has a 50% majority share in portsmouth aparently

i dont know exactly whats going on there

[surfcam]

The only club to have a 'sugar daddy' is Chelsea. None of the others have got a benefactor that'll throw silly money at them, although Portsmouth being the one that has benefitted the most, they do have a sugar daddy at a lower level than Roman.

Anyone buying the Arsenal is very unlikely though. Very unlikely indeed.

Plus, as I understand it, a number of shareholders would all have to sell for any one person/entity to gain complete control of the club. Even DD doesn't have a controlling stake.

I just don't see it happening. The club has been in the Hill-Wood family for quite some time, and other major shareholders seem to be staunch Arsenal members.

[Skizz]

mandaric still has a 50% majority share in portsmouth aparently

i dont know exactly whats going on there
No he doesn't, he sold the remainder off to Alexandre Gaydamak in the Summer. Mandaric now owns Leicester City.

[Dave_M]

I think its inevitable to be honest. Everyone has a price at the end of the day.

Though I do think (read: hope) it will happen later, rather than sooner.

[KevTheGooner]

The Hill-Woods only own about 1% I believe, and I believe that some of the larger shareholders would sell for the right price. That said, I believe the directors are fans first, and investors second, meaning they will be very reluctant to sell.

But let's be clear: just being bought doesn't mean that we'll have a sugar daddy. Just ask Hearts (or is it Hibs?) fans.

[SLO-Gunner]

TThat said, I believe the directors are fans first, and investors second, meaning they will be very reluctant to sell.

C'mon Kev...flash an offer of three times the share price and everyone becomes an investor.

[KevTheGooner]

C'mon Kev...flash an offer of three times the share price and everyone becomes an investor.

Oh I agree...I said "very reluctant" not "resistant." Just as a season ticket holder might be willing to part with their tickets for a huge price...reluctantly.

[GoonerMan]

The Hill-Woods only own about 1% I believe, and I believe that some of the larger shareholders would sell for the right price. That said, I believe the directors are fans first, and investors second, meaning they will be very reluctant to sell.

But let's be clear: just being bought doesn't mean that we'll have a sugar daddy. Just ask Hearts (or is it Hibs?) fans.

surely more than just 1%?
i have recently seen an advert in the programme asking for fans to buy shares in the club, if they dont want someone to come in and take over. a bidder would have to buy up a large amount of the shares before being able to take full control and if the shareholders refuse to sell then the bidder cant do it. it was an appeal to anyone who didnt want the clib taken over. the more people buying shares, even if its only a few, the better. i think ITV own a lump of the club and they are the types we have to watch. they will sell

[shincan]

In the words of The Dude, "I'm just gonna find a cash machine."

[thebigman]

No he doesn't, he sold the remainder off to Alexandre Gaydamak in the Summer. Mandaric now owns Leicester City.


on bbc website they said an investigation had been done and the 'new russian' hasnt quite got majority still

madaric still has massive share at pompy

[Dave_M]

Just as a season ticket holder might be willing to part with their tickets for a huge price...reluctantly.

Everyone has a price.

Offer a man a years salary for a season ticket - and its as good as sold.

[crazy150]

Well, according to a quick google search, total shares are worth about 300million pounds with a 15mil before tax profit (ending may last year). With the new stadium, I'm guessing proffit should increase so an investor would be looking at 5-10% annual return. However, given that the directors have taken on significant risks with the new projects, I can't see the them approving a takeover unless we have a few terrible seasons and our financials tank. Currently any potential bidder would have to offer them a significant premium, and then he'd be better off buying a cheaper team and pumping money into it (ala Abe).

Market Cap 304.87 (M)
Shares Issued 62219
Directors Holdings 61.06 %

[Shen-O]

Hey, our starting XI may not have many Englishmen, but atleast our owners are :p

[Gooner_for_Life]

Even if someone does try to come in its gonna cost them an arm and a leg to pay out a premium to which everyone will agree and cover our debt.

I dont really care if we get bought out just as long as it benefits the club. Everyone seems to be complaining about clubs being bought out lately but it looks like its going to improve the level or competition within the Prem by raising the status of Portsmouth, Villa, and potentially West Ham. The only problem i have is the dirty russian, hes not good for the game with his enormous sums of money and i could still see him leaving soon and thus Chelsea falls like a 10 lb rock in water.

[mpeabody]

If the Prince of Dubai does buy Liverpool then he could potentially spend more money than Abromovich. This time next year we may be discussing how we need some kind of salary cap.

[Charleysurf]

If the Prince of Dubai does buy Liverpool then he could potentially spend more money than Abromovich. This time next year we may be discussing how we need some kind of salary cap.
If the EU and UEFA go ahead with their plans for salary caps based on turnover, then billionaire owners will not be able to just pump money directly into transfer budgets (they could pump it into stadiums etc. though). Well-managed clubs like United and Arsenal will be the big winners. Chelsea will be ********ed.

[GoonerMan]

If the EU and UEFA go ahead with their plans for salary caps based on turnover, then billionaire owners will not be able to just pump money directly into transfer budgets (they could pump it into stadiums etc. though). Well-managed clubs like United and Arsenal will be the big winners. Chelsea will be ********ed.


roll on!

[KevTheGooner]

Everyone has a price.

Offer a man a years salary for a season ticket - and its as good as sold.

Totally agree, Dave. I just wanted to point out that the price is much higher for a true fan than for an investor who would be happy to get a 10%-20% return.