Popular UK website , The Mirror, has reported the interest of former Abia state governor and Senate Chief Whip, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s interest in buying premier league giant, Arsenal FC.
According to the paper, Senator Kalu is interested in buying 35% of Arsenal FC as part of a rebuilding process to make the club a formidable team in Europe.
The Mirror, “Nigerian billionaire Orji Kalu wants to buy a huge stake in Arsenal and “bring trophies back” to the Emirates.
The 60-year-old is looking to purchase 35 per cent of the Gunners having made his fortune as a senator, businessman and newspaper owner.
Arsenal can no longer compete financially with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
And that has been a factor in their lack of success with their last Premier League title coming in 2004.
Since then trophies have been few and far between, but Kalu wants to change that.
He has previously helped a club dominate domestically having taken over Nigerian club Enyimba FC.
“Our success with Enyimba FC between 2000-07 has continuously increased my passion for football,” said Kalu.
“As the pillar of sports in Africa, I am considering an investment in football and I will buy 35 per cent stake in Arsenal FC.
“Our target is to lift the Champions League and EPL, and valuable investment as well.
“Doing what you love and loving it is where greatness lies. I need 35 per cent of Arsenal to bring back trophies.”
Arsenal have a large following in Nigeria that started when they signed Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
And Kalu, who was freed from a 12-year jail sentence upon appeal in May, wants to strike up a powerful partnership between the Gunners and Enyimba.
“With Arsenal we will make Enyimba great again with the strategic partnership we are packaging,” he continued.
“We shall turn it around to create a platform for more of our professional players seeking international exposure.
Arsenal won the FA Cup last term under Mikel Arteta, their fourth success in the tournament since 2014.
But they have failed to mount a meaningful challenge domestically for some time and last played in the Champions League three years ago.”
