Alisher Usmanov, who has increased his stake in Arsenal in recent weeks, has confirmed that he would eventually like to buy the club.
Despite claims from the club’s current board that he was not planning to take over the Gunners, the Russian billionaire has now revealed that his long-term intention is to gain control of the London club.
However, the 54-year-old metals magnate said a takeover of the London club was unlikely in the short-term.
“We don’t have the capacity today, but this is business and life is changing,” he said.
“Something that you can’t do today maybe you can do tomorrow.”
Usmanov’s company, Red and White Holdings Limited, fronted by former Arsenal vice-chairman, David Dein, has a 23% stake in Arsenal, making him the club’s second largest shareholder behind Danny Fiszman.
Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman admitted last weekend that he was “relaxed” about Usmanov’s interest in the club.
Edelman told BBC Radio 5live: “They’ve said previously they are not going to make a bid for the company and they want to be long-term shareholders.
“It’s business as usual. As far as the board is concerned we don’t believe we are in any danger of being taken over.
“We agreed to have an open dialogue between the parties over the next few months,” added Edelman.
“And we expect to meet and talk to them consistently and see how that relationship develops.
“What he said to us was that he thought we were a very good long-term investment and that he did not want to take the club over, and thought he was going to make a lot of money from this. That’s what he said to us.”
