Ecclestone eyes Arsenal takeover

Updated 10.08 Wed Jul 25 2007

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has refused to rule out the possibility of a takeover of Arsenal.

Ecclestone concedes he has yet to hold talks with the Premier League club, who are apparently bracing themselves for a £650million offer for control from American billionaire Stan Kroenke.

Ecclestone concedes he has yet to hold talks with the Premier League club

Kroenke already owns 12.2 per cent of the Gunners, and there are suggestions he is now looking for outright ownership.

But Kroenke may yet face a battle with Ecclestone. The 76-year-old ringmaster of Formula One who has amassed a £3 billion fortune over the years.

Ecclestone said: "I've not spoken with anybody at Arsenal. I obviously talked to David (Dein) when they chucked him out, which I thought was a bit unnecessary.

"But if somebody offers me something that I think has got good value, I will have a go."

It is not the first time Ecclestone has been linked with an English club as there were suggestions a few years ago he was interested in Chelsea prior to Roman Abramovich's takeover.

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