Arsenal are ready to invite American billionaire Stan Kroenke to join the board.

The Sunday Telegraph says Kroenke is to be invited on to the Arsenal board in an attempt to block a hostile takeover of the club by Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov.

The offer of an olive branch would complete a dramatic U-turn from the reception Kroenke received from the board when his initial shareholding of 11.26 per cent was revealed in April.