Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of Dangote Group, has expressed regret over not acquiring Premier League club Arsenal when he had the opportunity to do so for $2 billion. In a recent interview on Bloomberg TV in New York, the Nigerian billionaire acknowledged that the “time has passed” for such a deal, noting that Arsenal’s current valuation has soared to around $4 billion.
Dangote, who previously declared his intention to purchase the North London club in 2020 after completing his refinery project, is now Africa’s second-richest person with an estimated net worth of $13.4 billion as of September 2024. However, he admitted that the rise in Arsenal’s value has placed the club beyond his financial priorities.
“I think that time has passed,” Dangote remarked. “When I last mentioned this, I said that once the refinery was finished, I’d try to buy Arsenal. But now, the clubs are doing really well, and Arsenal is thriving. Back then, they weren’t performing as well.”
Reflecting on his decision to invest in his refinery instead of the football club, Dangote emphasized that it was the right move for his business. “I regret not buying Arsenal before. But my funds were needed to complete my projects. I could have bought the club for $2 billion, but then I wouldn’t have been able to finish my refinery.”
Despite his missed opportunity, Dangote affirmed his unwavering loyalty to Arsenal, stating, “I’ll remain a devoted fan. I watch their games all the time, but purchasing Arsenal doesn’t make sense today,” He concluded.
