19 May 2013 21:40:03
There's a rumor doing the rounds saying that Usmanov has managed to purchase the required shares to make him majority share holder and is planning to announce it in the next 48 hours. Don't personally believe this but heard a few people saying it and wondered what everyone thinks.

1.) 19 May 2013
Omg I would love it to be true

2.) 19 May 2013
Well. I know nothing- but I wouldn't be surprised, its something he has wanted for a while isn't? On the other hand its all be very quiet, so it must be top, top secret. wait and see, I guess.

But I must say, I would welcome him- at the very least, going by his comments, etc he seems that he his ambitious for our club (whether that will turn out to be a good thing, we will see).

3.) 19 May 2013
When someone is wanting to buy a majority stake of shares it is paramount that current shareholders know of it as late as possible (from the potential buyers point of view), the earlier the existing shareholders know about the potential bid the more the shares are worth as a premium on shares is paid when a takeover occurs (making the shares very attractive therefore driving up the price), therefore making it very important for the potential buyer to be as quiet as possible.

I am in no way saying this adds credibility to the rumour just saying that if a takeover were to happen at any time it is in the potential buyers interest to make sure it doesn't get out until the official bid is made.

I personally don't think it will happen but you never know.

4.) 20 May 2013
Majority? doubt it. maybe he buys enough to make it to the arsenal board. which is good also

5.) 20 May 2013
20 May 2013 00:10:12
from what I understand he's like 2% away from owning 30% stake in the club, and when you have 30% you have to place a mandatory bid for majority shares, its weather kronke wants to take his money or not, it does also declare usmanov a seat on the board

6.) 20 May 2013
I doubt it. Stan already has over 60% and I don't see him selling.

7.) 20 May 2013
I am not sure that with all his baggage Usmanov would pass the fit and proper person test, there should be some bright lights shed on his financials. Certainly Abramovich would have never passed. And their two of a kind together with their ties to Shvidler.

8.) 20 May 2013
Usmanov needs 1 more share to reach 30%.
This is the point when he will have to make a "hostile bid" for the club or the club will have to talk with him.

9.) 20 May 2013
Stan is the majority holder therefore if Usmanov gets to 30% he is not obliged to make a majority bid - and kroenke is not obliged to listen either.

IF he gets to 30% nothing will change other than he may get a seat on the board (and with PHW stepping down, this seems more likely).

10.) 20 May 2013
Reaching 30% no longer means you must make a takeover bid. I do not even think it entitles him to a seat on the board.
I like many others pray Usmanov makes a bid to buy Kroenke out but unless he gives Kroenke a double your money proposition nothing is going to happen. Kroenke is already making money on his investment so only Usmanov paying over the odds will force Kroenke to sell.
This is now more about Usmanov's love for Arsenal vs his business sense. WIll he take a big hit in his pocket to buy Arsenal? I am not sure he will.

11.) 20 May 2013
A web site was speaking about usmanov last week, the board don't want him nore do stan and they said give it another year and if nothing happens they can see him leaving and buy another club. he's the richest man in the uk, about 2 or 3 years ago he offered to pay off all the debt and the board said no, I wouldn't blame him if he left though he did get a couple more shares last week

12.) 20 May 2013
I think the 30% rule only comes into effect if you don't have a Majority shareholder and since Silent Stan has 60% he has total control of more or less everything, if he refuses to sell there is nothing Usmanov can do

I would love Usmanov to takeover but don't see how it is going to happen unless SS sells

13.) 20 May 2013
Why - has Kroenke sold him his shares.

I don't think so.

Usmanov owns 29+% and Stan owns about 66+%.