THE MIKIVERSE

Jay-Z interested in buying British Premier League club Arsenal, aka The Gunners

From: NewsCore March 24, 2010 12:49PM

Jay-Z is a longtime Arsenal supporter. Picture: Reuters Source: news.com.au

Jay-Z wants to invest in English soccer club Arsenal.

The hip-hop mogul – who already part owns US basketball team the New Jersey Nets – is a big fan of the London-based Premiership club and would be interested in owning a stake in the team should the opportunity arise.

When quizzed on whether he would be prepared to invest in Arsenal, he said: "I am a businessman, and I will always look at an opportunity, and if it feels right, great. I don’t know a lot about the business of soccer, but in the future if the right opportunity presented itself, then who knows?"

The 99 Problems rapper – who has been a fan of Arsenal, whose nickname is 'The Gunners', for five years – has also offered free concert tickets to the current line-up to come and see him live.

He added to Arsenal magazine: “I don't know if there are any Jay-Z fans in the team but if there are they would be more than welcome to come to my next concert when I am over in London. They can come and see me do my work, and then I will come and see them do their work.”

Jay-Z went to watch Arsenal play Manchester City in September, after which he was mistakenly reported to be a fan of the rival team as he was attending as a guest of the club’s owners.

"After that game the press started reporting that I was a Manchester City fan, I am really glad all that has been cleared up and that everybody in the U.K. knows that I am an Arsenal fan," he said.

Jay-Z, who owns a stake in the New Jersey Nets basketball team in the U.S., admitted he became a fan of Arsenal after seeing its former star, Frenchman Thierry Henry, play with the team five years ago.

"When Thierry Henry was at the club I saw him play and I just thought he was an amazing player," he said.

"Ever since then I have been a big fan of the club, following you guys, and still today you play the beautiful football that Thierry did. I think he had a real long term-effect on the team."

Jay-Z's comments come after it was reported fellow rapper P. Diddy wants to invest in struggling London soccer club Crystal Palace, who are currently suffering financial problems.

A source said: "Diddy was in London for a meeting a couple of weeks ago. The finance is in place. He could cover Palace’s debt and bankroll a return to the Premier League.”