The Kroenkes rebuff Daniel Ek’s offer for Arsenal – Is that our hopes over?

All Arsenal fans must admit that we got a little excited by the news that the Spotify billionaire Daniel Ek, had made it clear that he would like to buy out Stan Kroenke and take control of the Gunners, especially when he promised us fan representation at Board Level and had had a meeting with the Arsenal Supporters Trust.

It seems that Arsenal denied that Ek had made any approach to the club, but Ek himself has now issued an announcement saying that a bid has been submitted, with Sky reporting the value to be in the region of £1.8billion, but the offer was rejected by the Kroenke’s.

Daniel Ek tweeted….

Now we know that when it comes to corporate stuff this could all be the posturing at the beginning of negotiations. “We don’t need the money” could meansomething like “You will need to increase that offer”.

And Ek’s statement may have meant, “Oh well, tell me what price you want or I’m not playing”.

OR, of course, it may all be taken at face value and we may have absolutely no chance of it going any further’ In my point of view though, I don’t think Ek would have made such an effort unless he thought that he could get a resut at the end of it.

What do you think?

77 Comments

  1. I doubt this guy is serious. Good PR for him I guess.

    If he really wanted to buy Arsenal he would not make public statements that would anger the current owner. He would make a second bid but stay quiet publicly.

    I think Usmanov would have been a better owner for us. But most likely Kroenke really does not want to sell and Ek is nowhere near showing him the money to change his mind.

    1. @gotanidea
      Exactly. Everybody and their cat ranting about Yank, Russian or other foreign investors ruining English football. But no Brit billionaires seem too eager to purchase any of the big EPL clubs. To the contrary, they’re the ones sold their stocks to those foreign investors…IJS 🤨

        1. Have a chat to Simon Jordan about buying a football club. Better still read his book. He lost most of his fortune buying Palace.

      1. I think the following people are English?

        James Dyson
        Leonard Blavatnik
        James Ratcliffe
        Charlene Heineken
        Hugh Grosvenor

        1. gai, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THEY LOVE FOOTBALL, which is the obvious reason they don’t bid. You show me a single billionaire who is making money from football ownership right now and then I will say you have a point. But not otherwise!

    2. Listen guys, a £2.5 billion will be enough for Kroenke to sell his shares at Arsenal

        1. Oil be surprised if it isn’t GAI!!
          Phil, my roots (and my money) are still down south!!!

          1. I have already Phil, but the bid was rebuffed due to the kronkie’s due diligence – they don’t want my type on the board!
            Now where have I heard that before?

          2. Ken if your money is all alone with no one to look after it, as you are now a foreigner(or would be if fishwife Sturgeon gets her silly way) I hereby offer to lok after and protect your vulnerable, all alone, money.

          3. Jon, very generous of you my friend, but as my ticket for the Brighton game cost me £11.50, the need for ANYONE to protect my ill gotten gains has dwindled to mere folklore.
            Perhaps Mesut Ozil might be of interest? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

    3. British London based Billionaires are nothing compared to oil Billionaires have a look at the value of British billionaires vs foreign and you will get the answer. You need to be left with something after buying the club you can not be worth 1-3 billion and spend all on buying a football club.

    4. Football clubs are high risk clubs with High operating cost

      and fans demand owners to spend 200 to 300 million every season

      No billionaire would have that kind of cash in hand for massive spending every season apart from the Arabs and Russians…

  2. Harry in the US is great for both countries. It raises the average IQ of both the UK and the US. Win-win.

  3. Bumped up to the relevant article from an earlier thread ( as I went “off topic” earlier.

    Ek on his failed opening bid last week ;

    “They replied that they don’t need the money. I respect their decision but remain interested and available should that situation ever change.”

    Just look, and reflect upon for a moment, on Kroenke’s reason for bid rejection.

    “they don’t need the MONEY” !

    Not “wanting to take Arsenal forward”, or
    ” having unfulfilled ambitions for the club” – no, simply having enough MONEY.

    Where is the “sporting” ambition for our club.

    Even if you were not sincere, surely acknowledged business etiquette would offer up a more professional response than “not needing the money”.

    And to think we “didn’t want the likes of Usmanov” on the board ?!

    The above should tell you all you need to know about this unambitious, aloof absent landlord of an “owner”, who has no emotional attachment to the club whatsoever.

  4. First of all, I ask myself why, if a bid has been made, why the club have denied it?

    I then ask why would Daniel Ek, feel he has to come out and contradict the club?

    Have we really sunk that low, that official false statements are being made, or is a future potential owner, telling us porkies even before he has bought the club?

    WE DESERVE MORE THAN THIS!!!

    As for Harry, after watching Donald Trump for the last 4-5years, I don’t think we need lessons on truth, integrity and statesmanship, do you?

  5. “I don’t think Ek would have made such an effort unless he thought he would get a result at the end of it?”

    Not sure how much effort he has made, maybe he saw an opportunity to get the Club for a relatively low value price as he thought the Kroenkes were on the back foot because of the ESL failure and some supporters wanting them out

    If he succeeds at that price he could probably flip it for a decent profit next Thursday

    I’m not saying he doesn’t want the Club or that he wouldn’t be a better owner, I simply don’t know

    “Fan representation at Board level”, isn’t that a bit like politicians kissing babies leading up to an election

    How would that work anyway, as we demonstrate within this forum different fans have different opinions, how can that be truly represented at Board level?

    Henry promised the Manager’s job?, Bergkamp promised the role as Tel’s number two? and Vieira taking Edu’s role?, or/and do all three see a chance to make a lot of money with a low personal financial investment but with their high value names

    Now they could be better than what we have, again I simply don’t know but apart from their involvement in Ek’s campaign is their any indication that they would be?

    All three genuine Arsenal legends and they could just be involved for the love of the Club

  6. From what I understand KSE have made a statement to the stock exchange clarifying their position that they have no intention of selling. So there the matter ends, lets move on.

    1. But patH, as fans, who do we believe is lying to us with regards to the “bid?”

      Surely that is important as we move on?

      1. Well it seems obvious that some sort of a bid was made or for what other reason would KSE contact the Stock Exchange. From what I read the only one involved was EK.

        1. So, we have been lied to by an “official statement” then?

          As AJ points out above, our owner is in it for one thing only and that’s his perogative of course.
          But lying, as it seems has happened, takes it to a new level.

          1. Lying takes billionaires such as Kroenke “to a new level” then eh Ken? Seems to me that is merely par for the course with that breed, so they stay on the same level as before; under a stone.

            I am puzzled why you appear to automatically believe all staements issued. I rarely do, unless I know that person is honest. We all know Kroenke is not honest!

          2. Jon, I’m not accepting EITHER statement, but one of them must be false wouldn’t you say?
            Who’s your money on??

          3. Oh I believe a bid has been made Ken. If only because I never believe a single word that comes out of Kroenkes mouth. Mind you , he has only ever uttered about two words ever since owning us

    2. pat H NEITHER YOU NOT ANYONE ELSE UNCONNECTED WITH THIS STORY KNOWS WHETHER OR NOT THE “MATTER HAS ENDED”.
      So your comment is incorrect or at least cannot be proved correct now.
      I CAN REVEAL TO YOU A UNIVERSAL TRUTH, THAT PEOPLE IN HIGH FINANCE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LIE!

      1. JON, I CAN PROVE TO YOU THAT PEOPLE AT ANY LEVEL HAVE BEEN AND ARE STILL LYING – SO IS IT KRONKIE OR ESK THIS TIME?

        1. Ken merely because we receive two seemingly opposite statements it does not mean that EITHER is FULLY true THOUGH I DO THINK A BID HAS NOW BEEN MADE.

  7. When an investor is seriously considering a take-over, most of the discussions are held in private, behind the scenes. We knew from the start, this public offer by Ek was simply a media stunt to promote his own business interests, at the expense of the club.

    Moreover, no serious investor would consider buying a football club at the time; the market is too unstable and the risks of failure too high.

    Whether we like it or not, the Kroenke’s are going nowhere. I just wish they would renew their commitment to the club and supporters by hiring a new manager and commit to spending at least 200M upfront for use in the next transfer season. They have too much to lose if we don’t get back into Europe.

  8. OT.. Arsenal women won 9-0. Montemurro signed off in style! Thank you, Joe 👏 All the best

    1. Great result Sue, do you think Jon will be upset by this, obviously, sexist reporting, when our male counterparts are struggling so badly?

      At least we can watch CL football still 😂⚽😂⚽

      1. Nothing sexist in this post of Sues , unlike Sues earlier comment when she called Brendan Rodgers “Brenda”.

        Shame sexist comments do not seem to bother such a worldly wise mature man like you KEN They ought to ! Discrimination being such a wrong thing to condone and so forth! Ever wondered why players take the knee?!!!

        1. Funny how you never mentioned it when I called Mourinho ‘Maureen’ probably because you have yourself!!

          1. No I have not Sue. I know you have though. You and I are on very different life levels, it appears .

          2. Jon, I gave up when “manhole covers” were seen as a sexist remark.
            But to say that calling Brendan Brenda or Mourinho as Maureen as being sexist, must be the daftest thing I’ve ever read from such a learned fellow.

            I call my eldest daughter Samantha Sam… it has never bothered her, in fact it’s her preferred monocle.
            Are either of us sexist?

          3. When people on here mock someone like Roy Hodgson for a speech impediment or Unai Emery for mispronouncing words in one of the four languages he speaks, it seems anything is fair game.

          4. No I do not”FORGET” Sue!

            EASY TO DEFAME ME BUT MOST DO NOT BELIEVE FALSE STATEMENTS LIKE YOURS JUST ‘COS THEY APPEAR IN PRINT.

            I note you chose not to answer my own comment about your Rodgers comment being sexist but merly to attack me instead. How revealing!

  9. NO! It’s not over, Stan just wants more money for all the ‘effort’ he has put into making Arsenal the premier club in Europe in terms of on-field honours and consistent performers. I mean look at the squad, the highest calibre/experience and success of our manager and the huge investment he has made into the club.

    The results speak for themselves!

  10. Of course Kroenke is not interested in selling when the value of Arsenal has increased by 23% over the last two years.

    1. The Kroenkes just sit back and watch their investment increase over time, with no effort on their part. The heat on the Kroenkes needs to be increased. I haven’t bought merchandise for years.

  11. “We don’t need the money.” Was that the answer to Daniel Eks bid for Arsenal Football Club? It sounds like the ultimate arrogance from a spoiled brat. At the age of 73? It isn’t possible. To have lived the most of his life without learning anything? No, it isn’t possible. A public person at 73 should think of what people will say about him when he is gone. Life is not forever, Mister.
    Here You have a win-win opportunity. You can make millions of Arsenal fans all over the World happy by handing the club over to someone who are better equipped to run it than You, and at the same time make s nice sum of hard cash. Yeah, You have a lot already, more than You can spend. Good for You. But don’t You care at all what people think and say about You? Then You are not human. And what’s wrong with making people happy? What’s wrong with giving Arsenal Football Club back to the fans, to whom it belongs, despite Your ownership? Despite Your money.
    When You talk about a 100% commitment for Arsenal FC You are fooling nobody but Yourself. Everybody knows that’s a lie. Maybe You mean it, it’s a lie anyway. Because what is a 100% commitment worth if You are unqualified for the mission?
    If You are trying to transplant American DNA into the body of European football (wasn’t it what ESL was about), then You try to create a monster with small chances to survive it’s birth. If You had any knowledge about European mentality, culture, daily life etc, You wouldn’t have let You down to participate in that stupid project. It was pure “selfembarrassment” for all involved.
    US Americans understand Europeans as little as Europeans understand Us Americans. The reason why we Europeans love the sport we call “King Football” (soccer) must be a mystery to You. I guess You say: Why play football with the feet when you can play it with the hands… There You have the difference between us in a nutshell.
    And now You are slamming the door in the face of Spotify owner Daniel Ek when he offers You a serious bid for Arsenal FC (and You can bet he is serious). He offers You a bid that gives You a decent chance to leave with some dignity. I think that’s foolish.
    Well, I hope You know what You are doing, Mister. I hope You are aware of that You, when You slam the door in the face of this middleaged swedish businessman who few had heard of a month ago, at the same time are slamming the door in the face of (and humiliate) three of the highest rated players in the history of Arsenal football – Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp. And on top of that, the most iconic man of them all, Monsieur Arsene Wenger. I don’t know how it is among you Yanks, but here in Europe we show our old Masters respect. And very much so. Slam! You’re a very brave man, Mister.
    From the depth of the History of Arsenal Football Club – from Woolwich to Islington – will come a roaring thunder like from the East Stand of Highbury. Bless You.

    1. Wonderful and correct righteous indignation at a deeply immoral and morally damaged so called”owner”. I maintain in all seriousnes that creatures like Kroenke are only human anatomically REAL humans need a heart, a soul and a sense of right and wrong. IN THOSE MATTERS he is NOT human.

      1. Jon
        How true. Such is the nature of our world, that people like Kroenke, Maxwell and Murdoch infect it.

      2. If it wasn’t for that “a” that became “s” on line seven I think it’s quite nice myself. Thank you, Jon.

    2. I don’t know how it is among you Yanks, but here in Europe we show our old Masters respect.

      That’s rich after what you did to Wenger to get him out…ohhhhh what a noble fanbase you are.

  12. it was never serious. you dont do this so publically. if he stops talking for the next several months about it I’d actually have more faith in it going through

  13. He went public with it (transparency) just because it was the only way to put pressure on KSE. Now everybody knows what Daniel Ek is upp against. And I’m sure he is gonna be successful. Daniel Ek is buying AFC, but – as Thierry Henry said – it’s will take time. Years probably. We have to be patient.

  14. First it would take an offer over £2 billion to foster any serious discussion. I like the Daniel EK bid because it puts Kronke on the spot. Either sell or keep your word and invest this Summer.

    Either way it keeps his feet to the fire and can’t worm his way out.

    Second, Kronke has not given up on some type of SL or league more in line with American leagues and no relegation.

    Third, if they don’t need the money then we should see an investment over £100 million this Summer.

    I say that because “they don’t need money,” and the Kronke’s have been quoted saying they will back Arteta and invest in the team to “rebuild.”

  15. Time to start collecting money to put a contract on the kroenkes. Only way to remove that leech is death

  16. I didn’t think for a millisecond that that this bid would succeed, and indeed I initially thought it wasn’t’t serious. The cost of relinquishing Arsenal’s asset value to the kroenke’s would be twice that, and only Dangote has that sort of money. We can only hope that when he sorts out his priorities, he will make an offer that kroenke cannot refuse. Until then, there’s the hope that his stated commitment to arsenal’s success will translate into a few decent signings.

    1. Biscuitbum, Dancote has stated he is only interested in buying Arsenal to make more money for himself. There is nothing to say that he wants Arsenal to be successful on the football field.

      1. I may be wrong here but wasnt it another african billionaire who said that statement? Offcourse Dangote may have said it too but I saw an article about another man here.

  17. I see this failed bid as a blessing in disguise. It might cause Kroenke to step up and put more attention to the club.

    It will give Dangote an idea of a starting bid he should place when he is ready.

    I think a first bid of 3 billion pounds would be able to make Kroenke consider.

    Whichever way, I know my Arsenal is just observing the law of diminishing return in business, so we will definitely rise up again. The question is when?

    The future is bright gunners. Imagine in 3 years time when these players are mature, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli, Balogun, Azeez.

    That is a skillful and talented young players. They will give us the champions league. We just need 6 new signings to boost this young vibrant squad.

    Cheers gunners the future is bright!

    1. S. J, £3 billion? Insanity and billionaire are two words not normally associated in the one person.

  18. Well that was not a surprise 😂…I think they kronke has a specific price in mind which seems to be higher then what was offered to him and he is in no hurry to sell. Let’s see if we continue to be out of Europe for more than an year that might send the sponsor money and share prices tumbling down. So then Mr Kronke might be in mood to sell the club. We need a oil Billionaire no one else. Don’t want a billionaire who buys the club and then he has got not enough funds to do anything more. We need that oil money either from Russia or Arabs 😉

  19. Nothing is impossible. If Arsenal fail to compete in the future Stan will have to reconsider. Arsenal have failed to compete at the highest level since he took over.
    While Pool and others have bought top,top players,Arsenal have to contend with scraps.
    How can you compete.?Its no more alevel playing field. The self sustaining model cannot challenge the mega bucks

  20. I agree with other opinions expressed on here. Daniel Ek is not the answer if you are wanting Arsenal to regularly compete with the likes of Man City and Chelsea. It will require someone with the capital to purchase kse shares and to subsequently provide ongoing investment to update and maintain a squad to compete on multiple fronts. EK, doesn’t have those funds, maybe Dangote. I am also sceptical on the response Ek put out regarding an offer to Kse. For me it is highly unlikely that a organisation such as kse would respond with “we don’t need the money”. It would be more realistic that they would respond with something along the lines of Arsenal is not for sale.

  21. I think Daniel Ek is the answer, as frontman in a takeover. That’s the most important thing just now – the takeover, to get rid of KSE. When the takeover is done, there is time for new considerations. Then Ek can look for suitable partners for himself and the club. Post KSE.

  22. Ek is £200m off the valuation which is £2bn. If he is serious about buying he has to meet the valuation or go little bit higher. This is a always the case when the owner does not see or have a need to sell, he has to be persuaded. Ek is an opportunist and he is banking on protests from the supporters to force the owners to sell.

  23. Kronke’s won’t sell. Look at their American assets and they tend to keep franchises long-term. We’re stuck with them I’m afraid!

  24. At the end of the day Kronke is a businessman, who has no love of for Arsenal or (probably) football in general.
    Whilst we did make a loss this year, considering the lack of supporters , it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
    EK will have to offer way over the odds to buy the club or I suspect will wait till the next push for a european league, which will probably add another billion+ to the clubs value before selling

  25. Then if this is all what is going on in Arsenal then we forget about UEFA and winning EPL because right now its not a two or three horse race.

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