Russian increases Arsenal stake

Red and White Holdings Ltd has increased its shareholding in Arsenal to 24 per cent. The investment company, whose chairman is the former Arsenal vice-chairman, David Dein, is owned by the Russian billionaire steel investor, Alisher Usmanov, and the London-based investor, Farhad Moshiri.

It was formed in August 2007 after the initial sale of Dein's 14.5 per cent stock for £75m, and by October had increased its stake to 23 per cent – making it the second-largest individual shareholder, behind the director, Daniel Fiszman, who has 24.11 per cent.

The American businessman, Stan Kroenke, holds 12 per cent of the club. In October, Arsenal took steps to rule out an unwanted takeover by ensuring that board members cannot sell their shares to an outsider.

That agreement expires in April but has an option to be extended.