Kroenke is already the largest shareholder in the Gunners, owning a 29.9 per cent stake. Purchase of another 0.09 per cent of the Premier League club's shares would mean he has to make a bid for the remainder. Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov also has a stake in the club of over 20 per cent - but Sky sources are now claiming that Kroenke has made a move to secure full control. It is understood that Kroenke has come to agreement with fellow shareholders Danny Fiszman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith to purchase their shares. Fiszman and Bracewell-Smith both own 16 per cent, and if Kroenke confirms those deals then under stock market rules, a takeover bid would be triggered. Kroenke first took a stake in Arsenal in 2007 when he purchased the 9.9 per cent which was owned by Granada. Kroenke has major interests in sporting teams throughout America as his company also owns the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and the NFL's St. Louis Rams.
