Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek, CEO and founder of Spotify, is preparing an offer to buy Arsenal, one of the richest football clubs in the world. To consolidate his proposal, the tycoon is counting on the support of former idols of the team, such as Frenchmen Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira and Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp. An official announcement about the offer, according to information from The Guardian newspaper, is expected to be made next week.
Last Friday (23/04), the owner of Spotify publicly offered to negotiate with the American conglomerate Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), which has managed Arsenal since April 2011. “I’ve been a fan of Arsenal since I was a kid,” Ek revealed via his Twitter account. “If KSE wants to sell Arsenal, I would be happy to throw my hat in the ring.”
As a kid growing up, I've cheered for @Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I'd be happy to throw my hat in the ring.
- Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 23, 2021
Rumors of a possible sale of the London club began early last week, when the team's entry into the European Super League – a tournament almost exclusively for the continent's richest teams – was harshly criticized by fans. Arsenal even withdrew from the competition, but fans continue to disapprove of KSE's management. In the last match of the English Championship, last Friday, more than 3 people protested in front of the Emirates Stadium, where the team plays its games, calling for the American investment fund to leave.
Help from the stars
It is known that Stan Kroenke, the owner of the conglomerate, wants at least £2bn (around R$15bn) for the acquisition of the club. Ek, 38, has an estimated personal fortune of £3,4bn (R$25,7bn in direct conversion), but people close to the Spotify tycoon say it would not be difficult for him to raise the amount needed to buy Arsenal.
The involvement of the three renowned former players in the negotiation could also count in Ek's favor and the pressure on KSE to sell is likely to intensify in the coming days. This would be the Spotify CEO's first official involvement in English football.
Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. The Guardian e Goal
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