Farhad Moshiri

[bluestevon]

I do still wonder about how this all came about in the first instance. I'm just shooting the breeze here and (admittedly) straddling the world between speculation and conspiracy, but it could be suggested that the Moshiri acquisition is just a by-product of the Arsenal power struggle. It's my suspicion that Moshiri's role in the Gunners was always as a proxy purchaser of shares on behalf of Usmanov (who, let's face it, is the ultimate source of whatever wealth our new man has). In short: I have an uneasy feeling the Everton shares have been purchased as leverage in Usmanov's ongoing struggle against Kroenke. In what way? He (Usmanov - and despite his 'in it for the long haul' statements re AFC) has a possible exit route from Arsenal if he chooses to take the rest of the Everton stake up and cut and run. That would have to be a major concern to other Arsenal shareholders who dont know what Kroenke's long term plans are for Arsenal - and his fortunes have been inextricably tied up with Wenger's stewardship of the club, that's hurtling toward a conclusion in the next 12 months or so.

It is speculation, quite obviously, and EFC are hardly a club in any fit state right now to be a horse that Usmanov immediately jumps onto without massive infrastructural certainties over the stadium. But I worry that Moshiri's involvement is all enmeshed in that wider power struggle and that we might see inaction here because of it. The obvious lack of a stadium plan from what we gather from commentary so far and from Anderson is a concern that highlights this fear. I wouldn't be too certain that this is an orthodox takeover leading to a future in which we progress even incrementally.

I dont know about the last part pete. I think he knows how to protect cash that is created by others, not make it. That's his stock in trade. And let's face it, the Usmanov empire was bludgeoned out of the old Soviet Union's old Republics by war lords (old CP apparatchiks, yes, but war lords nevertheless in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse) not created using brain power but by former KGB muscle.

You have to ask yourself how business savvy these people really can be.

Dave you have absolutely no understanding of that situation at Arsenal which is given away by so many wrong statments and assumptions your making

1. Moshiri never independantly held any shares in Arsenal, neither did Usmanov btw, they both held them in the form of a 50% share each had in the company they used to make share purchases - R&W Holdings, so how was any form of Proxy buying of shares going on their - as the company made the share purchases why exactly was Moshiri needed?
2. Usmanov has gained absolutely zero more influence at Arsenal by buying the shares in real terms, he and Moshiri through the company co - held the shares anyway at 30% so no net gain for him.
3. Asenal doesnt have any other shareholders - Kroenke owns 67% Usmanov 30% mate, so which shareholders are going to be concerned exactly by this and apply pressure?
4. Kroenke doesnt have long term plans? he has publicly stated he has and that the club will pass to his children as an inheritance after hes gone, sounds pretty long term planning there
5. we havent had a stadium announcement within a day of him taking over = he has no plans for a stadium, really?
6. You do know that Usmanov made an absolute fortune by investing in facebook in 2009 when it was a company that was barely breaking even mate, yeah he has no brain power at all and must have got the KGB to sort that one out, how they knew that company was going to explode into what it became is strange though, also invested early in twitter, in alibaba, turned megafon from a relatively small company into russias second largest mobile company, re-nationalised gazprom from the oligarchs who had asset stripped it and got it all back and led to it coming back into semi state control again which wa shugely beneficial to the russian people, but yeah he is just a muscle man and Moshiri who worked alongside him and advised on all these deals is just a bag acrrying accountant
7. just a little fuirtehr bit about them having no brain power - they bought 100m shares in apple in 2013 for around the 50 dollar a share mark, sold them 6 months later at around the 85 dollar mark, whatever you think of them mate, they are absolutely plugged into the tech markets and have made shrwed purchase or investment one after another.

so how business savvy are they, even ingoring anything yu feel is tainted by being in Russia, they have made billions in investments in companies that have nothing to do with that time

 

[catcherintherye]

I think there may be an element of substance in this thought but logically it only makes sense if massive investment is put into Everton, i.e. We will grow another Arsenal. Because Moshiri has bought us, even if Usmanov got full control of Arsenal it would still make sense to grow both clubs, if we assumed that they were working in tandem. As it stands and with the availability of a large investor, there is no down side to this. Investment will be rewarded and that's how these guys view it. It looks like we have an owner who knows how to make serious money and that EFC will be one of his vehicles to do so. Just enjoy the ride......

This is also true. At this point it makes no sense to sell a PL club, especially one you acquired for 80 million. Even if Kroenke sells to Usmanov as part of the stunt (which 99.9% he won't, as he's already said he's keeping it and as I said above he would be stupid too) it still makes no sense to get rid of Everton.

For Usmanov to potentially have influence over two cubs is beneficial to 1. It is an unethical situation but in all honesty I doubt Usmanov is that worried about ethics.

You are spot on about the "grow another Arsenal". Bill often talked about Arsenal of the north. It seems the stars have aligned a bit.

 

[chazzle_dazzle]

The plan has just been released, not detailed but very clear on the next steps:

1) Usmanov to buy in, so that he and Moshiri take 75% of EFC shares and then clean up the small shareholders
2) Martinez removed immediately
3) Massive investment in stadium and playing staff
4) World domination

Thank god for that - my "moshmanov" shirt has just come in the post i was starting to feel a bit stupid.

 

[Groucho]

I'll be honest lads, I'd personally forget about Usmanov unless something tangible from him appears. There's zero evidence to say he's involved (and it's the easiest thing in the world to say 'but they always invest together' - there's a first time for everything and this may be it).

Until that turn of events (if it ever happens) I'd concentrate on Moshiri. Otherwise it's just blind stabs in the dark.

For example;

Usmanov's people in London are working incredibly hard with the press and other commentators to stress he is at Arsenal for the long term and still harbours ambitions to fully acquire Arsenal one day.

He bears no relevance to Everton's future.

 

[Chang Elephant]

Usmanov's people in London are working incredibly hard with the press and other commentators to stress he is at Arsenal for the long term and still harbours ambitions to fully acquire Arsenal one day.

If they are working hard what is the purpose, he owns 30%, kroenke owns 67%.....PR has no relevance/leverage in affecting that situation

 

[chazzle_dazzle]

Usmanov's people in London are working incredibly hard with the press and other commentators to stress he is at Arsenal for the long term and still harbours ambitions to fully acquire Arsenal one day.

He bears no relevance to Everton's future.

Who knows what the future holds with regards to Usmanov - right now we should be happy with Moshiri who is obviously extremely ambitious and will no doubt want to improve us as a club and business.

Soon as he starts increasing his shareholding then we can put these thoughts to bed completely. Am interested to understand if he will try to buy up say 75% then bring in additional investors - or if he will go all out.

 

[bluestevon]

There's a logic to that but what value for Megafon would there be in sponsoring a Premier League side or stadium?

The Premier League is a global product, the big bucks in sponsorship terms are to be found from global brands.

If your looking at companies that Usmanov and by asociation Moshiri have contacts or investments in then

Gazprom - Usmaov the director
Megafon big telecommunications firm - sponsored the ice hockey world championshuips and does lots of sponsorship internally inside russia as well with sport, company is all about becoming buigger and high profile mate so could see them wanting to tap into the exposure that the premier league brings - espeically in asian markets
Mail.ru - which is a rapidly expanding company, see the same as megafon really for its aims - only they are becoming absolutely a massive company of late

 

[catcherintherye]

Usmanov's people in London are working incredibly hard with the press and other commentators to stress he is at Arsenal for the long term and still harbours ambitions to fully acquire Arsenal one day.

He bears no relevance to Everton's future.

He has to say that currently. It may well be true. All we know is;
1) Usmanov has raised concerns at the direction Arsenal is going in, and his lack of influence on the club.
2) His long term and close business associate has just acquired a club he has complete influence in. He will be using potentially money acquired by shared companies to loan against or fund it from.

This certainly does not automatically equate to;
3) Usmanov will look to join his associate.

However it is also not an unreasonable assertion based upon the above two points. I am not talking that next week Usmanov will follow. Selling the shares will take time. Even if he comes, it will not be any time soon, selling his shares will take time to agree a price.

Irrespective of what Usmanov says publically it is not an unreasonable question/angle to consider. Nor is it rigid. The situation is clearly fluid and over the coming months and years may change.

For now we have a very wealthy man, who has successfully built a football club at the helm. As I indicated it is not us at the pinnacle, but we are at least one level up from where we were. We have the potential to be more competitive than Liverpool in spending terms and are at least on their level.

 

[hibbo'sclass]

I'll be honest lads, I'd personally forget about Usmanov unless something tangible from him appears. There's zero evidence to say he's involved (and it's the easiest thing in the world to say 'but they always invest together' - there's a first time for everything and this may be it).

Until that turn of events (if it ever happens) I'd concentrate on Moshiri. Otherwise it's just blind stabs in the dark.

For example;

Haven't got specifics in front of me*, but Mr Moshiri does invest on his own. One that springs to mind is just under 5% of Panmure Gordon held by an IoM company called Northcote or something similar

* read as CBA looking again

 

[Groucho]

Usmanov's people in London are working incredibly hard with the press and other commentators to stress he is at Arsenal for the long term and still harbours ambitions to fully acquire Arsenal one day.

He bears no relevance to Everton's future.

This post for example - this makes me relatively sure that Usmanov is at Arsenal.

Why can't we be happy at Moshiri being more wealthy than LFC? We've waited ages for a real chance of investment and now we have it, still a few seem to not accept that Usmanov isn't our new owner.

Maybe it's just human nature to want more, and things can change of course, but for now I'd say we concentrate on whatever Moshiri, our new (49.9% and rising) owner does, rather than an Arsenal board member who has nothing to do with Everton.

 

[royalblue66]

Think there is more chance of David Dein joining. Than Usmanov.

 

[The Esk]

He will be using potentially money acquired by shared companies to loan against or fund it from.

Beyond checking the legality of Moshiri's wealth accumulation what relevance does the fact that he co-invested and managed Usmanov's companies have?

Frankly this talk of Usmanov is just a meaningless distraction, our focus should be on Mr Moshiri and what he will do for Everton.

 

[boris]

This post for example - this makes me relatively sure that Usmanov is at Arsenal.

Why can't we be happy at Moshiri being more wealthy than LFC? We've waited ages for a real chance of investment and now we have it, still a few seem to not accept that Usmanov isn't our new owner.

Maybe it's just human nature to want more, and things can change of course, but for now I'd say we concentrate on whatever Moshiri, our new (49.9% and rising) owner does, rather than an Arsenal board member who has nothing to do with Everton.

I don't think people are thinking Usmanov is our new owner, I don't think anyone believes this for one minute.

However, it's not unrealistic to think there could be a plan for him to come on board with Moshri in the future at some stage.

I don't care what quotes I hear, what people are telling people et. I don't believe for one minute anything I hear regarding these type of deals as everyone involved has there own agenda.

It was pretty obvious to me last week whilst Moshri was selling his shares that he was taking especially after I had heard the previous talk of Usmanov taking over prior to Christmas (which seemed massively far fetched at the time) yet people were still saying on here last Saturday morning prior to it breaking, Esk included I think, that it would be The Yanks.

It's not all black and white and with the links between these 2 I think it's certainly not out of the question, especially when everything is taken into consideration, although even if he never got involved, I am more than happy with Moshri who I think will be great for us.

 

[toffee66]

It is not unrealistic to think Moshiri will look to bring in additional investment through both commercial deals and a wealthy junior partner of his own choosing in due course but everything I have been told is that he sees this as his chance to be the main man. I am just looking forward to see how he impacts us over the next 12 months. Exciting times.

 

[bluestevon]

Beyond checking the legality of Moshiri's wealth accumulation what relevance does the fact that he co-invested and managed Usmanov's companies have?

Frankly this talk of Usmanov is just a meaningless distraction, our focus should be on Mr Moshiri and what he will do for Everton.

Simple to say that Usmanov went from relatively well off in bigger terms to absolutely obscenely wealthy after his association with Moshiri, really joining the dots it can be seen the influence on attaining that welath that Moshiri and his advice on investments had, that should leave us all very happy indeed.