Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has expressed regret over not seizing the opportunity to buy Arsenal Football Club when the price was right. The Nigerian industrialist revealed that his financial priorities were focused on completing his massive oil refinery project, which ultimately prevented him from pursuing the acquisition.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Aliko Dangote explained his past intentions regarding the Premier League club.
“I had said as soon as I finish with the refinery, I will try and buy Arsenal. The issue is that everything has gone up, and the club is doing very well. That time Arsenal wasn’t doing well,” he said.
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Dangote, known for his passion for Arsenal, had been a longtime contender in discussions about potential buyers for the club. However, he now admits that the current valuation of Arsenal, estimated at $4 billion, makes a takeover unrealistic for him.

“I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion and use it as a promotional tool,” Aliko Dangote explained. “I’d rather do something with the money.”
Despite his regret, the businessman acknowledged that focusing on his refinery project was ultimately the right decision, even though it meant sacrificing his dream of owning the London-based club.
“I regret not buying it before, but my money was more needed in completing my project than buying Arsenal,” he reflected. “I would have bought it for $2 billion, but I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project.”
Dangote added that his loyalty to Arsenal remains unwavering, despite no longer having plans to purchase the club.
“What I’d do is continue to be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their game every time,” he said. “I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal, but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal.”
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