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Daniel Ek’s Arsenal takeover bid: Spotify founder’s decision to go public increases pressure on Stan Kroenke

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The protest by Arsenal fans at Emirates Stadium last Friday was in full swing when Spotify’s billionaire founder Daniel Ek tweeted he was ready to make an offer to buy the club from Stan Kroenke.

The news of his interest is music to the ears of Arsenal supporters, particularly as Ek is serious about preparing a bid to test Kroenke’s resolve.

In teaming up with Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry to aid his efforts, Ek has only strengthened his hand.

Thousands turned up at Emirates Stadium before Arsenal played Everton last Friday, united in their belief a change of ownership is needed following the Super League fiasco.

It is rare for any potential takeover to be played out in public, but his decision to do so will turn up the pressure on Kroenke to sell.

Ek is a huge Arsenal fan and stories about him watching games during Spotify board meetings are testament to that.

He fell in love with the club by watching Swedish midfielder Anders Limpar and has never looked back since.

That is playing on the heartstrings of Arsenal fans, but they will be wary about getting carried away.

REUTERS
REUTERS

Kroenke remains adamant he will not sell and has shown in the past with his other ventures, when he moved NFL side the Rams from St Louis to Los Angeles, that he can stand tall in the face of fan adversity.

But Arsenal fans have now been shown what the future could look like, and the thought of a billionaire partnered up with a trio of Arsenal legends is likely to mean the protests against Kroenke will continue and grow in size.

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