Ecclestone's personal fortune is valued at �2.2 billion

Arsenal are valued at �432m, but five directors who own 45% of the club have signed an agreement to resist any takeover that will run until April.

"The directors don't want to sell and have signed a lockout agreement for a year, so we will have to wait and see what happens then," he told The Times.

"A lot can change in that time. I am still very interested. If I could buy Arsenal I would, but I'd want control."

Ecclestone, whose personal fortune is valued at �2.2bn, is a friend of former Gunners vice-chairman David Dein, who walked out of the club last season after a boardroom row over a possible takeover.

American sports magnate Stan Kroenke has also been linked with a possible takeover, having spent �65m for 12.2% stake in the club in the last year.