Kieran Maguire: This is what £236m naming rights deal means for Arsenal takeover hopes
Spotify’s £236million naming rights deal with Barcelona could be a death knell for any lingering hopes of a Daniel Ek takeover at Arsenal.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the latest business news from Catalonia.
The Guardian reported on Tuesday (8 February) that Spotify are close to a £236m deal for the right to sponsor the soon-to-be redeveloped Camp Nou.
Spotify are owned by Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek, who launched a public campaign to buy Arsenal from the Kroenke family last year.
His takeover bid was publicly backed by Gunners legends Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp and Patrick Viera.
But Maguire argues that getting into bed with Barcelona would kill any aspirations of a future takeover in North London.
“The likes of Emirates sponsor more than one club, so in theory it could be done,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“However, it would seem very weird indeed for Ek to buy Arsenal and for his company to sponsor a European rival. I don’t think it will happen.
“The reason he has gone very quiet is that he was originally very opportunist in trying to get publicity when Arsenal were going through a fallow period.
“There was never any serious indication that the Kroenkes were interested in selling.
“Conducting negotiations through social media as he attempted to do is not the way to enamour yourself with an existing owner.”
Ek had two bids for the Gunners fall on deaf ears last year.
Stan Kroenke reiterated his commitment to Arsenal in the aftermath of the saga.
In other news, Kevin Campbell “100 per cent” sure Bukayo Saka will pen new Arsenal deal amid Liverpool link.