Alisher Usmanov is no longer a shareholder at Arsenal, but he could play a big role in their summer transfer plans.
The Russian billionaire - valued at $18billion as per Forbes - was formerly the second-largest shareholder at the Emirates Stadium, having initially bought into the club in 2007.
But in August 2018 he accepted an offer of £550m from Stan Kroenke for his shares and as a result, the American billionaire became the club's sole shareholder.
However, Usmanov has remained involved with another famous Premier League club. Interestingly since 2017, Usmanov's USM Holdings have sponsored the Everton training ground.
Furthermore, an extension to the deal last summer saw them become Everton's Official Matchday Presenting Partner, with the MegaFon logo appearing around Goodison Park and on the sleeve of the players' training kits.
And Usmanov has made no secret that he is ready to increase his involvement with the Merseyside outfit after hinting at striking a deal with Toffees' majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, for the naming rights at the club's new stadium.
"Yes. With great pleasure, if he asks," he told the Financial Times, when asked if he would like to join Moshiri at Everton. "I am thinking about my investment in this club. I cannot reject Arsenal.
"I will not leave them as a fan. But if I join Everton, then I will wear an Everton shirt, because I am a professional.
"They are going to build a new stadium. Why not the USM Arena? It is not obligatory for me to participate myself. I could just sponsor them."
With that said, it would appear that Usmanov is behind Everton's search for a new manager.
Despite not being a shareholder at Goodison Park, as per the Liverpool Echo, the Russian is said to be pushing for the club to appoint Rafa Benitez as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement as the message he and Moshiri are getting across is that they 'feel the club needs an impulse from top to bottom'.
Whilst the idea of being managed by a former Liverpool boss hasn't gone down well amongst many Everton fans, if appointed Benitez will face a big transfer decision that could affect Arsenal.
According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have discussed a move for Jonjoe Kenny as a replacement for Hector Bellerin should he depart and leave a void at right-back.
But with a shortage of right-backs at Everton, it could mean that Benitez, if appointed, decides to keep Kenny and thus hand Arsenal a blow in the process.
Alternatively, the Spaniard could sign off on a deal for PSV's Denzel Dumfries which means Kenny could be available this summer.
