There are a lot of big changes happening at Arsenal right now with the London club recently parting ways with their long-time manager Arsene Wenger, in an attempt to rejuvenate a team that has fallen out of the lucrative Champions League qualification places at the top of the Premier League.
Usmanov frustrated at Kroenke’s reluctance to sell
Now Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov is rumoured to be thinking about selling his 30% stake to majority stakeholder Stan Kroenke. Usmanov has been attempting to take sole control over the club, having offered Kroenke a deal to take over his stake that was turned down. It is Kroenke’s reluctance to sell the club that is said to be behind Usmanov’s desire to sell.
Failed bids to take full control
Back in October, Kroenke offered £525 million to buy Usmanov out but that offer was declined. Usmanov has become increasingly frustrated with his position at the club, having not been given a seat on the board despite being the second largest stakeholder at Arsenal.
All of the events that are happening behind the scenes will hopefully not distract from what happens on the pitch, with new manager Unai Emery embarking on the difficult challenge of steering Arsenal back to the top 4 in the league.
Arsenal’s early transfer business
He has been backed by the owners in the transfer market, where he has spent £27 million on Lucas Torreira and £22.5 million on goalkeeper Bernd Leno. However, when you compare the available money to the amounts that Champions League finalists Liverpool are paying, it pales into comparison.
Arsenal has added some defensive personnel to their squad with the signings of Sokratis and the experienced right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner who they brought in on a free transfer. Having conceded more goals than Burnley did last season, they were in need of some strengthening in that area. Goalkeepr Cech also struggled, so the signing of Bernd Leno will see Cech lose his place in the team.
Emery hopeful of Ramsey signing contract renewal
There are still three weeks left before Arsenal start their Premier League campaign, which could mean that there are more potential signings in the pipeline. One deal they will be hoping to wrap up quickly is the signing of Aaron Ramsey to a new long-term contract with the club, with just a year left on his existing contract.
