Founder of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said he should have bought EPL giants, Arsenal, when the team was valued at about $2 billion.
In an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua in New York, Africa’s former richest man expressed his regret, adding that he missed out on buying Arsenal by committing his resources to the Dangote Refinery project.
Dangote who is a fan of the London club said he was willing to buy the team when it was struggling, but now the Mikel Arteta-coached team is doing well, making him more regretful of not buying the club.
He said, “I think that time has passed. The last time when we had this interview, I told you as soon as I finish with the refinery, I am going to try and buy Arsenal.
“I think I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion so to speak and use it as a promotional something.
“But what I will do is to continually be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their games anytime they are playing. So, I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal.’
“Actually, I regret not buying it before but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (Dangote refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2 billion but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, It was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”
Dangote had in 2020 made known his intention to go for the North London club after his refinery project.
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