Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov may part company with former Arsenal vice chairman David Dein in order to increase influence at the English Premier League club.
The Uzbek-born businessman is Arsenal's second-largest shareholder after increasing his stake in the London club last month.
Although Usmanov is unlikely to make any move to take control of the club in the immediate future, he may sideline Dein if his presence as chairman of Red and White Holdings Ltd., Usmanov's investment company, is objectionable to the rest of the Arsenal board.
Dein was ousted from the Arsenal board in April after falling out with members, including chairman Peter Hill-Wood, over his support for a takeover by American investor Stan Kroenke.
The long time friend of manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly hoping to return to the club under Usmanov's direction.
"I am grateful to David Dein that he sold his shares to me and not someone else," Usmanov said.
"But we don't want his personal relationship with the board to affect in any way my relationship with the board."