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Usmanov builds stake in Arsenal amid US takeover talk LOGINREGISTERHELPYOU ARE NOT LOGGED IN NHLNBAMLBCFLNFLCurlingTennisGolfSoccerNASCARFormula OneIndyCar NASCAR Canadian Tire SeriesNationwideCamping WorldAuto RacingWorld JuniorsSpengler CupMenS WHCWomenS WHCHockey CanadaAHLBoxingCanada GamesCHLCISECHLFigure SkatingLacrosseMMANCAASkiingSummer SportsWinter SportsMoreOlympicsFantasyDaily LineShowsTSN TalentCommunityMainLeaguesBundesliga 1English Premier League France Ligue 1 Liga Espana Major League Soccer Serie A Standings Bundesliga 1English Premier League France Ligue 1 Liga Espana Major League Soccer Serie A Schedules ScheduleStandings Toronto FC Soccer on TSNDaily LineeotText SizeLONDON Alisher Usmanov has increased his stake in Arsenal to more than 26 per cent keeping the Russian billionaire in a battle for control of the Premier League club with American businessman Stan KroenkeKroenke remains the largest shareholder and has steadily increased his holding in recent months to 299 per cent just short of the 30 per cent threshold when he would be required to make an offer for the remainder of the sharesBut Arsenal announced Friday to Londons Plus Market that Usmanov through investment vehicle Red and White Holdings had taken his stake from 15555 shares representing just over 25 per cent of the club to 16223While attention has been focused on Kroenkes potential purchase of Arsenal in recent months as he bought shares mostly from fellow directors Usmanov has been upping his stake on the open marketUsmanov is only required to make public disclosures when he crosses certain thresholds because he has not been invited onto the board of directors unlike Kroenke who is required to announce each acquisition to the Plus MarketIf either Kroenke or Usmanov crosses the 30 per cent threshold they would be obliged to make a formal offer for the remainder of the shares at the highest price paid for stock during the past 12 monthsShareholders would not be forced to sell so if the prospective buyer was unable to secure half of the club they could not make another takeover offer for 12 months unless invited to do so by the companyIt looks at the moment there are two main people fighting for the ownership of the club Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Friday Who will get the ownership I dont know It is very difficult for me to be involved in that It is very important that the club focuses on winning football gamesEarlier this year the board which continues to back a selfsustaining business model rejected Usmanovs plan to raise 100 million pounds (C$171 million) through a rights issue to strengthen the squad and reduce the clubs debtUsmanov responded by doubting whether Arsenal has the financial resources to produce a team that can win the clubs first trophy since 2005Arsenal is third in the Premier League going into Sundays match at Liverpool and ha...