Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man has been reportedly close to buying Valenciennes, a French Ligue 2 football club.
News About Nigeria gathered that the Nigerian Multi billionaire and world’s 86th richest man, would initially take over the 60 per cent stake of the Eddy Zdziech family and thereafter look to gain full control of the club which was established in 1913.
The 110-year-old cub has spent an equal amount of time participating in the country’s Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 tournaments, over the years.
Valenciennes have played 40 seasons in the first division and 36 seasons in the second division and have never recorded a silverware participating in the first division, but have won Ligue 2 on two occasions.
The Athenians have also won the Championnat National and the Championnat de France amateur in 2005 and 1998, respectively. They have also played in the French Cup final once.
With six games until the end of the Ligue 2 season, Valenciennes currently sit 15th in the league table, with 37 points from 32 games, and three points clear of the relegation zone.
Some notable former players of the club include Argentina 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, Cameroon legend Roger Milla, former Senegal national team coach Bruno Metsu, and former France national team star Jean-Pierre Papin.
An acquisition by Dangote, most likely will propel them to the next level by signing the best legs and revitalising the team as a whole, but the club’s main priority would be retaining their Ligue 2 status till the end of the season.
Recall that Dangote had in the past tried to purchase a controlling share in Arsenal in 2010 but his bid failed on arrival.
Meanwhile, eight years later, in an interview with the Financial Times, he said that he would buy Arsenal as a reward for completing his $10-billion refinery in Lagos, while in 2020, he also said he was going to make a bid for the English Premier League club in the future, and take over the ownership of the London-based club from Stan Kroenke, the current owner.
Surrounding Dangote’s desire to purchase a European club, are comments condemning his neglect and inequivalent support for local football clubs in Nigeria.
