Swedish billionaire Ek serious about Arsenal takeover

Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek insists he’s serious about buying out Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke.

Ek said he was determined to test the American billionaire’s resolve despite the Arsenal owner’s insistence that he has no intention of selling.

He told CNBC: “I’ve been an Arsenal fan since I was 8 years old. Arsenal is my team. I live the history, the players, and of course I love the fans.

“So as I look at that I just see a tremendous opportunity to set a real vision for the club, to bring it back to its glory.

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“I want to establish trust with the fans and engage the fans again. So, I’m very serious. I have secured the funds for it and I want to bring what I think is a very compelling offer to the owners and I hope they hear me out.”

Ek, who is worth around £3.4bn, is ready to make an offer of £1.8bn for the north Londoners.

Kroenke and his director son Josh outlined their not-for-sale stance in a statement on Tuesday but Ek said: “As I started out saying I’ve been a fan for 30 years of this club and I certainly didn’t expect this would happen overnight and I’m prepared that this could be a long journey.

‘All I can do is prepare what I think is a very thoughtful offer, bring it to them and hope they hear me out.

“I just focus on the club, the fans and I focus on trying to bring the club back to glory and I’m first and foremost a fan. That’s the most important thing for me and I want the club to do better. That’s my primary interest.”