Vietnamese HAGL Club Chair Interested In Arsenal Stake

Vietnamese Exec Interested In Acquiring Stake In Arsenal

Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club (HAGL) Chair & Owner Doan Nguyen Duc has "declared an interest in buying" a 20% stake in English Premier League club Arsenal, according to media reports cited by Matthew Goodman of the LONDON TIMES. Duc said that he "hired a firm of consultants to carry out detailed research -- due diligence -- on Arsenal's finances and to investigate the feasibility of such a purchase." Duc is reported to have said, "We know that it takes time for us to reach the target, but we have a determination, and project the target to be realised over two to three years." The team "already has a relationship with" Arsenal as both "signed a technical and marketing agreement in March 2007 aimed at building a new youth academy in Vietnam and developing the English club's presence in Asia." Duc owns a 55% stake in HAGL, "one of the leading clubs in the Vietnamese league" (LONDON TIMES, 2/17).

NEWCASTLE: In London, Louise Taylor cites sources who confirmed that Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley "recently made an indirect approach to Dubai Investment Capital [DIC], inquiring if it might be interested in buying the club" for US$585.3M. Taylor reports DIC, "whose sole footballing interest centres on attempts to buy" Liverpool, "swiftly declined" the offer. Ashley bought the club for US$253.6M less than a year ago and "assumed debts originally estimated at [US$126.8M],'' that are now said to have been nearer the US$195.1M mark. A leading financial analyst yesterday said:  "It is believed Newcastle has cost [Ashley] between [US$409.7-429.2M], which is why DIC clearly laughed when [US$585.3M] was mentioned." When asked if he believed DIC might "do a volte face should its Liverpool overtures fall through," Ashley said: "It's not impossible but probably not; Newcastle United is not a global brand in the way Liverpool is" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 2/19). The link with DIC "emerged after it was reported that a Tyneside-based group of businessmen were putting together a [US$487.7M] takeover bid" (London TELEGRAPH, 2/18).

LIVERPOOL: In London, David Bond reports Liverpool failing to make next season's Champions League would leave co-Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett's  "recent refinancing plans in tatters." Liverpool was paid [US$47.2M] for reaching the final of the Champions League in Athens" in May, and will have made another US$9.8-19.5M "from gate revenue and merchandising" bringing total revenues to US$58.5M. Hicks and Gillett have "just borrowed [US$682.8M] to refinance their [US$427.3M] acquisition" in February '07 (London TELEGRAPH, 2/19).