Alisher UsmanovGETTY IMAGES
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov "is open to staying involved" in football and would consider investing in Premier League club Everton or teams in Germany or Italy after "selling out" of Arsenal last week, according to Fedorinova & Hellier of BLOOMBERG. Usmanov said that he receives "many proposals" from clubs and is "considering his options." Any deal "would have to allow the 64-year-old an element of personal influence over operations and management," he said -- something he did not "enjoy as Arsenal’s second-biggest shareholder," behind U.S. billionaire Stan Kroenke. Usmanov’s intention to stay in football "will be of interest" to supporters of Everton, which is majority-owned by Farhad Moshiri, his long-term business partner. Usmanov said, "We are friends with Farhad Moshiri. If he needs the support, I am happy to help." Still, Usmanov’s interest "is not restricted to England." He is a fan of several clubs on the continent, he said, including Bayern Munich, AC Milan and AS Roma. Although he was "frustrated over his lack of influence" at Arsenal, the value of the club "more than quadrupled while he was an investor." He said, "When I bought the stake in Arsenal I believed that football brands would be able to generate profit. This is happening now" (BLOOMBERG, 8/14).
