In an interview on a podcast with Nicolai Tangen, Chief Executive Officer of Norges Bank Investment Management, released on Wednesday via the firm’s official YouTube channel, Aliko Dangote confirmed he once considered buying Arsenal.
Watch the video below;
Dangote said:
When I was focused on buying Arsenal, I was also focused on the refinery getting to its completion.
At the time, Arsenal was worth about 2 billion dollars, so I asked myself: should I put my 2 million dollars in Arsenal and allow the business to suffer, or continue the business and continue to remain a very big supporter of Arsenal?
So I decided to continue to support them, watch their games. Any time Arsenal plays, I always wear the jersey. I am a fan, it is better I remain as a fan and continue to fund my business.
And today they are worth billions, it is not worth the while.
The African richest man, Aliko Dangote, later channelled his capital into completing the Dangote Refinery and other business ventures instead of pursuing the Arsenal takeover, while remaining one of the club’s most notable supporters.
