Arsenal were prepared for takeover coup BEFORE Super League plans

Arsenal were prepared for takeover coup BEFORE their bombshell European Super League plans amid Daniel Ek’s imminent £1.8bn bid… but hated owners KSE insist they will NOT be selling any stake in the club 

• Arsenal were braced for a takeover coup before the European Super League 
• Senior chiefs discussed the interest in the club on match-days this month
• Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek is poisted to table an offer of £1.8billion 
• He has the backing of Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera and Dannis Bergkamp 

Arsenal were braced for a takeover coup in advance of announcing their plans to join a breakaway European Super League, Sportsmail can reveal.

Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek, with the backing of Gunners legends Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, is poised to table an offer in the region of £1.8billion to purchase the club from current owner Stan Kroenke, though the American businessman has no intention of selling.

Ek first revealed his interest on Twitter during Arsenal’s 1-0 home loss to Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, a game that was preceded by angry protests against Kroenke in light of the club’s plot to join the controversial European Super League.

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke (above) was braced for a takeover coup before the club announced its intention to join the European Super League, Sportsmail can reveal

Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek is poised to table an offer in the region of £1.8billion

The authenticity of Ek’s interest has been questioned, with many believing he is merely trying to increase his popularity among Arsenal fans and using the backlash against the embarrassing breakaway saga to achieve that goal.

However, Sportsmail has learned that senior Arsenal chiefs were aware of an interest and incoming offer for the club in advance of the official European Super League announcement on Sunday, April 18 – and even discussed it on match-days this month.

While sources have not confirmed Spotify founder Ek as the interested party, it is highly likely – given this week’s developments – that the Swede was plotting his attempts to take control at the Emirates Stadium well before news broke of their attempts to ditch the Champions League.

Dennis Bergkamp (L), Thierry Henry (C) and Patrick Vieira (R) are part of Daniel Ek’s consortium

The news should at least quell some of the scepticism over Ek’s takeover plot, indeed the Scandinavian is said to have shown serious interest in acquiring the club in the past.

However, despite Ek’s interest Kroenke insisted they will not be selling any stake in the club.

In an official statement, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment said: ‘In recent days we have noted media speculation regarding a potential takeover bid for Arsenal Football Club.

‘We remain 100% committed to Arsenal *and are not selling* any stake in the Club. We have not received any offer and we will not entertain any offer.

American owner Kroenke has no intention of selling, despite unrest from supporters

‘Our ambition for Arsenal remains to compete to win the biggest trophies in the game and our focus remains on improving our competitiveness on the pitch to achieve this.

‘Stan Kroenke and Josh Kroenke.’

The incoming offer from Ek is set to fall under the clubs’ £2bn valuation and will almost certainly be rejected by Arsenal’s current owner. It is unclear whether the Swede would be prepared to increase his bid if it is rebuffed.

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