African richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed he would be in a position to offer the present management of Arsenal an offer they cannot refuse once the $11bn oil refinery in Lagos is completed.
Speaking in a Bloomberg report, Dangote said he had coveted the club since 1980 when he became a fan. He said that he hasn’t given up on the dream, but his plans to acquire the club were presently on hold until the completion of the $11bn oil refinery in Lagos.
Dangote, a known fan of the Gunners, also revealed that if his bid succeeded he would fire the manager, Arsene Wenger.
He said, “The first thing I would change is the coach,” Dangote said in the report. “He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.
“If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away. Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away. And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that.
“It’s a great team, well-run. It could be run better, so I will be there. I will wait. Even if things change I will take it.”
Wenger has been at the helm at Arsenal since October 1996, becoming the club’s longest-serving manager and most successful in terms of major titles won.
But the 67-year-old Frenchman had in recent times fallen out with the fans due to his inability to secure a major trophy for over a decade. Last season, the Gunners failed to secure a UEFA Champions League slot, falling instead to the less prestigious Europa League.
