God, I hope this isnt true...

www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006420681,00.html

Gunns in takeover talks

By SHAUN CUSTIS and IAN KING

ARSENAL have had unofficial talks about a possible takeover of the club.

But SunSport can reveal the £350million price-tag is proving a stumbling block.

A consortium interested in buying the club backed off in June when told the asking price.

Now a new group, which could include a Russian billionaire, has arrived on the scene in recent weeks.

An insider said: “There is an awful lot of activity going on behind the scenes at the moment, some serious discussions.”

The club has had no official approach and the board have NOT discussed a firm offer.

However, a number of shareholders are aware of the interest.

The new group’s involvement is at the earliest stages.

There is a belief that Danny Fiszman, one of the majority shareholders with a 28 per cent stake, could possibly be prepared to sell.

However, vice-chairman David Dein would want to remain in charge even if he sells his shares, which add up to 21 per cent.

One wealthy Russian who will inevitably be linked with Arsenal is metals magnate Oleg Deripaska, 39.


He is Russia’s sixth-richest man and has a fortune put recently at £4.8billion.

Deripaska is a former business partner of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and was linked with Arsenal around three years ago.

Another Russian linked previously with Arsenal is Vladimir Potanin, 42, worth more than £2billion.


A Gunners fan who has flown to Britain in his private jet several times to watch Arsenal, he was linked with making an investment in the club several years ago.

A third possible buyer is Ralif Safin, 51, who made his estimated £1.5billion fortune in the oil industry. He was linked with a tilt at Manchester United before the Malcolm Glazer takeover.

One analyst said the recent Brazil-Argentina match at Arsenal’s new Emirates stadium was an obvious way in which to showcase the club and its assets — and it is no coincidence that Boris Berezovsky, the football-loving Russ-ian billionaire exiled in Britain, was among those at the match.


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And it seems that it isnt. Although they would say that...

www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=416226&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Arsenal+Holdings+plc+-+statement

Arsenal Holdings plc - statement

Arsenal Holdings plc has noted the speculation in the media that it has received an approach or has been in talks which may lead to an offer for the Company.

The Board of Directors confirms that it is not and has not been in any such talks and has not received any such approach.

well un-named "sources" are usually BS

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Hypothetically, If Arsenal did go Russian, ala Chelsea, it would make me seriously reconsider things

FCUKING COOOOME OOOOONNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I <3 Jens Lehman

fergie is a legend, he's probably won more than arsenal have in their history.

I would suggest you go check the history books Ross.

First Division and Premier League titles: 13
1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1971, 1989, 1991, 1998, 2002, 2004

FA Cups: 10
1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005

League Cups: 2
1987, 1993

Charity Shields and Community Shields: 12
1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1991 (shared), 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1
1970

European Cup Winners' Cup: 1
1994


Hmmm... I make it 39

i think i'll take the treble over that, as great an acheivment as it was.

if it's 39 then fair enough, fergie hasn't done badly though ;D

I wasn't having a go at arsenal they play great football in the right spirit. i was just defending the manager of my football team who no matter what insults people may come out with, he is still an all time great and he hasn't finished yet.

must be talking about your womans team and very good they are to

Holy Shit! That really is an amazing record by Fergie.

Takes a great manager to stay at a major club that long. As good as Chelsea are now, I'd be surprised if Mourinho even sees out the decade.

you are an idiot if you think fergie is losing it.

2003