Dangote reveals why he still wants to buy Arsenal

Aliko Dangote has revealed patriotism and Arsenal’s need for “a new strategic direction” are the main reasons why he will not rule out making a second bid for the Premier League club.

The 58-year-old unsuccessfully attempted to buy the north Londoners in 2010.

Since then, Dangote – whose $17.5 billion personal fortune is greater than that of current owner, Stan Kroenke and makes him Africa’s richest man – has continued to monitor events at The Emirates.

“They (Arsenal) are doing well, but they need another strategic direction,” he said. “They need more direction than the current situation, where they just develop players and sell them.”

Dangote has received severe criticism from within Nigeria for not seeking to acquire a club from his homeland.

“The issue is that if I buy all the Nigerian clubs, the Nigerian flags will continue to remain here,” revealed Dangote. “But buying Arsenal will take the Nigerian flag worldwide. Just like whenever (Roman) Abrahamovich is mentioned, the name of his country, Russia comes up, everyone knows he’s Russian.

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“I still hope, one day at the right price, that I’ll buy the team,” he added. “I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.”