Weekend football
28 September 2007
by Jerrad Peters
ALISHER Usmanov has acquired an additional 2% stake in Arsenal Football Club. The Uzbekistan-born steel tycoon is actively attempting a complete takeover of Arsenal through his Red & White Holdings company. Now in control of 23% of the club's shares, the 54-year-old is just 6% removed from triggering an automatic takeover bid. Usmanov is thought to have paid in excess of 6M-pounds for the added interest, or 10,250-pounds per-share. The club's major stakeholders will convene in London next month; and Usmanov, reportedly infuriated by the smear campaign being waged against his persona by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood, is expected to comment publicly on his intentions for the first time. American sports entrepreneur Stan Kroenke will also be in attendance. His allegiances in the Usmanov-Hill-Wood row are, as of yet, unknown.
Napoli are set to host Genoa amidst the empty seats of the Stadio San Paolo, this weekend. The Italian Football Federation has penalized the Serie-A club after a mob of its supporters disrupted the midweek contest with Livorno. Napoli fans draped an offensive banner from the terrace, ignited smoke-bombs, and peppered the field with bottles and other projectiles. After winning promotion from the Serie-B in 2006-2007, Napoli have had a flying start to their campaign in the top flight. With three wins from five rounds, they are fourth in the Serie-A.
The transfer window will not open for another three months; but, already, several clubs are positioning themselves for quick strikes after the New Year. Sunderland manager Roy Keane, however, is intent on securing Kiki Musampa long before January. The 30-year-old Dutch forward, released from Trabzonspor in the summertime, has been training at the Stadium of Light already; and Keane would like permission to have him join the squad on a full-time basis as soon as possible.
Colin Calderwood is attempting to bring Neil Danns on loan from Birmingham City. The Nottingham Forest manager would like the 24-year-old to spend at least a month at the City Ground.
Sam Allardyce is plotting a move for Jussi Jasskelainen. The Newcastle boss is not confident that current number-one goalkeeper Shay Given will remain at the club beyond this season and would like to address the situation as soon as possible. Jasskelainen, for his part, is desperate to jump off the sinking ship of Bolton Wanderers and re-join his former manager at St. James' Park.
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