English Premier League clubs have become investment targets for wealthy financiers across the globe: Chelsea, the English champion, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Portsmouth have all been acquired by foreign investors. Now, London-based clubs West Ham United and Arsenal are currently the subject of buyout bids from foreign investors. The latter just rejected a $657 million takeover bid. Club managers often think these deals stink. Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson was never a fan of the hostile takeover of United by American Malcolm Glazer and family. Nevertheless, the club seems to have adjusted to life with its new owners. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is of a similar mindset to his old rival regarding club ownership: “I would choose the status quo,” he told Reuters. “I am happy with the owners I have and I do not see the need for a change because we are stable financially.” He was quick to add that that financial stability is quite an achievement for a club that only just completed building a brand new stadium. Wenger lamented the recent shift in attitude that has allowed foreign investors to swoop in and take control of clubs. “I feel it is important that English clubs have English values, and that it has not just become who spends more than anybody else,” he said. “Until now, one of the charms of English football has been that fans created the clubs and controlled the clubs, that the owners are fans first.” There’s certainly been a change in philosophy. These organizations are businesses like anything like else, but at Arsenal at least, the club is owned and operated by Englishmen who are fans of the club first. Wenger, of course, is a Frenchman in charge of a club that has just two Englishmen on its 20-man roster.