Usmanov keeps options open

RUSSIAN billionaire Alisher Usmanov last night insisted he has no immediate plans to take over Arsenal, but admitted: “This is business life and things can change”.

Usmanov’s company Red and White Holdings, chaired by former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, last week increased its stake in the Gunners to 23%. That has raised the spectre of a hostile takeover bid but the 54-year-old Uzbek-born metal tycoon claimed that is not on his current agenda.

Usmanov said: “We want to have a large stake in Arsenal. Up to now we have acquired 23%, maybe we will have to increase that to 25%. We have no intention of bidding for the club but this is business life and things can change. Something we may not be able to do today but we can maybe do tomorrow.”