Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov has refused to rule out launching a bid to acquire Arsenal Football Club (AFC).

Usmanov's investment vehicle, Red and White Holdings, owns a 26.3 per cent stake in the Premier League club and reaffirmed its commitment as a "long-term investor" in AFC. The announcement comes after fellow AFC shareholder, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, raised speculation regarding the future ownership of the club by reportedly seeking to offload her 15.9 per cent stake.

US billionaire Stan Kroenke - owner of nearly 30 per cent in the club - is also thought to be considering a takeover bid but has recently secured an agreement to acquire St Louis Rams, the US-based American Football team. Meanwhile, a group seeking to buy Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) is poised to begin a search for investors from next week, according to the BBC.

The Red Knights are looking to raise around £700m to buy out the Premier League club from current owners, the Glazer family. Elsewhere, Southend United Football Club (SUFC) has been granted a further week's adjournment to a winding up order brought against it by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

SUFC was granted the adjournment by the High Court after it confirmed that nearly £380,000 would be paid to HMRC, with necessary documents now signed off. Yeovil Town Football Club (YTFC) has reported a post-tax loss of more than £950,000 for the year ending 30 June 2009, with the economic downturn affecting the club's revenue.

Lack of cup competition progress and few player sales have also hit YTFC's finances, which also posted a 32 per cent drop in revenue for the year, compared with 2008. Meanwhile, Grays Athletic Football Club - recently relegated from the Blue Square Premier competition - is reportedly set to leave its current Recreation Ground home.

According to the BBC, the club may be forced to drop an extra league into the Ryman Leauge Premier Division as it seeks to secure a ground-share agreement.