Posted by Adam

Tuesday March 23, 2010

RAPPER 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.

“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,” he said. “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.

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.

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

Tags: jay-z