Stan Kroenke has moved closer to the takeover threshold at Arsenal after he purchased a further 417 shares from the estate of industrialist Ernest Harrison. The US sports magnate has now taken his overall stake in the club to 29.6 per cent. If he increase

Stan Kroenke has moved closer to the takeover threshold at Arsenal after he purchased a further 417 shares from the estate of industrialist Ernest Harrison.

The US sports magnate has now taken his overall stake in the club to 29.6 per cent.

If he increases that figure by a further 0.3 per cent, under City regulations he will be obligated to make a formal takeover.

The Arsenal Supporters Trust immediately issued a statement saying it believed Kroenke does not have designs on a takeover.

"While the AST welcome Stan Kroenke's involvement, we agree with the sentiment of Peter Hill-Wood's statement at the recent AGM that there is no need for any shareholder to launch a takeover of the club.

"The AST believes in plurality of ownership.

"If a takeover is launched by any party, we would seek urgent discussions with those involved.

"The AST has repeatedly stated that we are generally opposed to a takeover and would fight any plans that require the club to incur debt to pay for a takeover, as has happened at Manchester United and Liverpool.

"Arsenal is too important to be owned by any one person.