Tottenham Sale

[USspur]

No real news, but somewhere to put news if anything becomes substantial

 

[USspur]

Spurs takeover latest as Staveley hopeful after NFL visit amid Levy stance

The latest Tottenham Hotspur takeover news as the former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley has acknowledged looking at a number of investment operations

www.football.london

Takeover talk continues to swirl at Tottenham Hotspur with the north London club an attractive proposition for investors, especially after a strong start to the season under new manager Ange Postecoglou. Chairman Daniel Levy has now gone as far as admitting this himself.

Spurs have been the subject of speculation since the turn of the year, when reports emerged of a meeting between Levy and the president of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Al-Khelaifi is the chairman of PSG's owners, Qatar Sports Investments, which has made waves at the Parc de Princes with its 'Galactico' transfer policy having brought in Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in recent years.

MSP Sports Capital, a group chaired by the American-Iranian billionaire Jahm Najafi, has also been linked with a move for Spurs while there has even been talk of the legendary rapper Jay-Z making a bid for the club. It has also been claimed that the Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, who wants to buy Manchester United, could turn his attention to Tottenham if he is unsuccessful in his seemingly never-ending quest to take over at Old Trafford.

Levy, who is now the most public facing member of the ownership group, has just under 30 per cent of ENIC's 86.58 per cent controlling share in the club alongside his family. Now, with Levy being extremely open about the club's future, here's the latest on an investment or potential sale of the club with previous links to owners of Formula One, Liberty Media.

Tottenham have turned down offers in the past for the club, Levy has confirmed. "Over the years many people have made offers but there's never been offer that's been..." he started when asked by Bloomberg before being cut off. He was the quizzed on where the offers have come from.

"All parts of the world, the far East, the Middle East, America. Nothing has been put on our table that we feel has been of the interest to the shareholders."


As for why nothing has materialised, the English businessman added: "Lots of reasons. For us as a board we are only custodians of this club. We want to take it to another level. We've shown progression over the last 20 years, we've made a big investment in our capital projects, in our team and if someone came along and we felt they could take us to another level we'd look at it."

"If we get the right naming rights partner — and when I say that, I mean somebody who pays the right money in the right sector — then we are willing to consider doing it," said Levy. "But we’re not as tied to doing it now as perhaps we would’ve been when we first looked at building the stadium."

Levy admission​

Levy has admitted that he would consider selling a stake in the club if the right offer came about. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg he said: "I've got no real interest to leave Tottenham, but I have a duty to consider anything that anyone may want to propose. It’s not about me, it’s about what’s right for the club.

"We have 30,000 shareholders who own approximately 13.5 per cent. We run this club as if it is a public company. If anyone wants to make a serious proposition to the board of Tottenham we would consider it, along with our advisers, and if we felt it was in the interests of the club we would be open to anything."

MSP impact​

777 Partners, an American investment firm, are now in advanced talks to take over Everton, reports suggest, after a previous deal with MSP Sports Capital collapsed.

Everton's Farhad Moshiri is set to sell the club, Bloomberg write, and the deal is now said to be at an advanced stage. New York-based MSP had been close to reaching an agreement to plunge external investment into the Toffees with £150million of funding and a further £100million towards the new stadium and other areas of the club.

READ MORE:Sheikh Jassim net worth compared to Chelsea and Arsenal owners as Man Utd transfer reality emerges

However, the Liverpool ECHO write that 'owing to objections from existing lender Rights and Media Funding Limited to various aspects of the deal' the plans were abandoned, although the loan deal is intact.

After the MSP deal ended talks were resumed with 777 Partners. They have been adding to their multi-club portfolio since being founded in 2015 with Standard Liege, Red Star FC, Hertha Berlin, Genoa, Vasco da Gama and Melbourne Victory all forming part of their football empire.

Earlier this year it was said that MSP were ready to approach Tottenham with an offer to fund 70% of a huge offer for the club and that Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy were expecting a bid at the time.

Sheikh Jassim interest​

Spurs may be an option is Sheikh Jassim, who is said to have had five bids for Manchester United up to this point, fails in his bid to take control at Old Trafford.

Suggestions have been made that United are no longer on the market with a lack of commitment leading to a sale collapsing. It is instead written that the Glazers will look to sell again in 2025 when 'environment factors' could create a bigger market for the club.

Although speculative, this does open up the chance of any prospective owners turning their attentions back to Spurs.

According to ESPN journalist Mark Ogden, Sheikh Jassim and his entourage have earmarked Spurs as a potential option.

"They want the Premier League footprint," Ogden told The United Stand. "Somebody told me recently, they said that if the Qataris don't buy Man United, they'll be back and they might end up buying Tottenham.

"He said, look, if you've got Manchester City owned by Abu Dhabi, you've got Newcastle owned by Saudi Arabia, if Qataris maybe buy Tottenham, then you've got three clubs who can pull away.

Transfer impact​

Manchester United's potential takeover will not have an impact on the transfer activity of Tottenham, the Express report. As Spurs and United prepare to compete in the market for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, someone who is valued at a suggested £115million, the uncertainty at Old Trafford had been thought to play into Tottenham's hands.

Ferguson recently signed a new long-term deal at Brigthon but is already on the radar of some of England's biggest clubs as Tottenham look to replace Harry Kane. Spurs, who spent big in the summer window to sign Brennan Johnson and James Maddison in particular, will not have an advantage when it comes to Ferguson, though.

United themselves went big to buy Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund, seemingly uneffected by the continued drama surrounding the Glazer family and what has been a protracted process during talks over a sale to Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Unfortunately for Spurs ,it doesn't look like they will be able to use this to their advantage.

Not for sale​

Tottenham are not in a position to sell the club currently, football finance expert Kieran Maguire has explained. "Spurs are not officially up for sale but in the world of football finance, never say never," he told Football Insider last month.

It comes after ENIC Group owner Joe Lewis, who's family trust has the majority share in Tottenham, was indicted over his alleged role in 'brazen insider trading schemes' in America.

Lewis pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of insider trading and conspiracy in July 2023 and is set to be back in court next year. The ownership of ENIC was passed to the Lewis Family Discretionary Trust last year and Lewis himself is not a beneficiary.

Tottenham have said that that the indictement is a 'legal matter unconnected with the club.'

Jay-Z 'preparing bid' for Spurs​

Shock claims have emerged regarding a potential bid for Spurs by the rapper Jay-Z. The New York native, famous for his hits including 'H to the Izzo' and '99 Problems' is backed by US investors, according to the Express.

Jay-Z, who himself has a net worth of around £2billion, has dabbled in sports having previously held a share in the Brooklyn Nets basketball team while his Roc Nation empire had Manchester United star Marcus Rashford on its books. It is being claimed Jay-Z and his group are waiting to see the outcome of Joe Lewis' insider trading allegations with the 86 year-old denying the charges put to him in court.

Lewis controls ENIC, which controls Spurs, but as Companies House documents showed in October last year is no longer a 'person with significant control' of Tottenham Hotspur Limited.

Levy contact​

Levy and Al-Khelaifi are said to have a close relationship since QSI's interest in buying Spurs emerged with contact reportedly being maintained amid links between Harry Kane and PSG. Sparked by talk of a potential deal to bring Kylian Mbappe to north London, which has been quickly rebuffed, Spurs could soon see PSG handed a huge cash sum with the sale of their prize asset.

Levy and Al-Khelaifi are said to have 'regular exchanges', according to L'Equipe, with the potential for a takeover to develop if PSG are sold with The Telegraph reporting that Spurs have a £3.5 billion price tag after an approach to the club in September 2021.

F1 owner hint​

Greg Maffei, CEO of Formula One owners Liberty Media, has hinted that his next sporting venture could be in the Premier League. The American-based mass media company also owns the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team.

Speaking on the Walker Webcast, he said: "You mention the Premier League teams; there isn't an asset we haven't looked at. "That doesn't mean we've been ready to buy them all but we look at everything because we do think sports in general is attractive, we do think there are upsides and do think those things that management teams have taught up can help apply perhaps in other sports situations."

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Liberty Media have been 'mooted by one insider' as a potential option but they would not comment on reports.

MSP interest​

The Financial Times claimed back in February that MSP Sports Capital chief Jahm Najafi was 'set to launch' a $3.75 billion (£3bn) bid for Spurs. With Najafi chairing MSP Sports Capital, he would lead an approach for the club but a consortium made up of other investors would also provide funding.

It was also reported that the other investors would be from the Middle East with MSP contributing 70% of the funds for the takeover. The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Najafi, who now looks set to move for Everton, 'was expected to table a total buyout offer'

Levy's stance​

Levy recently broke his silence on a potential takeover during a talk at the Cambridge Union in April. "ENIC owns approximately 87% of the club and we have 30,000 shareholders and most of them are fans who own the shares," he said.

"We have a duty to consider any proposal anyone wants to make. "All I would say is we are not in negotiations with anybody, nor have we been in recent months."

 

[USspur]

Tottenham club value compared to Man Utd after £1.5bn Ratcliffe decision

Tottenham news as the move by Manchester United to vote on Sir Jim Ratcliffe offer leaves Spurs fighting even bigger challenges

www.football.london

"I've got no real interest to leave Tottenham, but I have a duty to consider anything that anyone may want to propose. It’s not about me, it’s about what’s right for the club." Daniel Levy was not shying away from tough questions when he was asked last month about what the future holds for him.

It has been a remarkable 12 months for the Spurs chairman with both on-field and off-field clouds hanging over the club before Ange Postecoglou's side stunned many to race to the top of the Premier League table. Issues beneath the surface remain for Levy though and he now faces a new challenge.

With Manchester United themselves set to get added investment from fellow British businessman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, there is a fresh unknown aspect about what is to come. United have been one of the most inefficient teams of the past decade, a far cry from Tottenham who operate on a similar and competitive level with the Red Devils despite a fraction of the budget.

Spurs' operating income, for example, is nearly 50 per cent than United's despite drawing in over £150million less total revenue per annum. Before the collapse under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte - a large shadow that will continue to follow Levy despite the early success of Postecoglou - Tottenham were getting significantly more bang for their buck than a wasteful United side.

Under Mauricio Pochettino Spurs became one of the best sides in the country and did it by hardly spending a dime, let alone over £1billion ($1.2bn) on new players like the Glazer family. The challenge for Tottenham is now to go one step further as they compete with the global might of United.

According to Forbes, it is only Real Madrid that are worth more than the Red Devils. They are said to have a current value of £4.93m ($6bn) but that is much lower than the price demanded by the Glazers as well as what Ratcliffe could end up paying.

The Ineos owner is set to purchase a 25 per cent stake for around £1.5billion ($1.8bn),Ben Jacobs writes, which comes to a total valuation of £6billion ($7.3bn). This still falls below the £8billion ($9.74bn) reported desire of the Glazers throughout this protracted investment process.

It does, importantly, come at a larger price than Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and his group were prepared to pay. That is partially down to the 25 per cent stake meaning a smaller initial investment compared to one large cash sum.

So just how much are Tottenham reportedly worth? Forbes have them in at ninth in the table, one place behind Chelsea but ahead of fierce north London rivals Arsenal. The total figure is £2.3billion ($2.8bn),a 19% rise compared to last year, still some way behind Chelsea but also some way in front of the Gunners.

More drastically, this figure is less than half of the United valuation and already £1.6billion ($2bn) from sixth place Bayern Munich. What the list represents is just how big the numbers get towards the top level and the European super clubs.

The breakdown of this valuation comes with £496million ($604m) in matchday income for Tottenham, who have the second largest stadium in the league behind only Old Trafford, as well as £721million ($879m) from broadcast revenue. Manchester United, who are one of the biggest tourist attractions in sport, have a matchday reported value of £811million ($988m) and a broadcasting total over £1.56billion ($1.9bn),partially due to being in the Champions League.

Commercial values come in at £711.2million ($866m) for Spurs and a giant £1.6billion ($2bn) for United despite not hosting the same level of events at their stadium as well as over £410million ($500m) difference in the brand value.

What is interesting is that United could end up receiving around 21% more than Forbes suggests they are worth. With United struggling both on and off the field with the atmosphere at the club heading towards a new low under the Glazers, this represents the scale of the task for Tottenham but also a point of positivity for Levy.

His side are making giant strides towards rivalling those at the top of the money list even with fewer resources and with a newfound elegance to their game it is not out of the equation that a future offer is made for the club. "We run this club as if it’s a public company," he explained in September.

"If anyone wants to make a serious proposition to the board of Tottenham we would consider it, along with our advisers, and if we felt it was in the interests of the club we would be open to anything." It's tough to know in the world of football and finances what a realistic sale price would be for Tottenham but if we take the 20 per cent higher than Forbes way of working it could come in at £2.76billion ($3.36bn).

Considering Tottenham were purchased for a reported £21.9 million ($26m) by Enic Group in 2001 - Levy and his family controlling nearly 30 per cent of the company - the rise since then is nothing short of staggering. Who knows, there's a disappointed and Manchester United-less Sheikh Jassim out there somewhere.

 

[USspur]

 

[USspur]

Lord Ashcroft’s son Andrew takes over father’s 3.4% stake worth £100m in Tottenham

The price is not disclosed, but based on recent valuations of Tottenham the shares are likely to have cost around £100m

www.theguardian.com

 

[Ted the Yid]

US consortium launches £4.5 billion takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur

Read this news on OneFootball.

onefootball.com

 

[Havocc]

Sounds too good to be true…..

 

[jaxdermot]

Earick and his partners are offering £3.3bn to buy out the entire club from owners ENIC and the Lewis family.

And the proposed new owners are ready to set aside a further £1.2bn for the “player budget” - including wages, fees and agent payments - to be made available to Thomas Frank from the opening of the January window.


In Dr Evils voice
"1.2 billion dollars"

 

[J.spurs]

I don't know who this guy Earick is, but he looks like a fucking clown. Based on about 30 seconds of googling, it seems there is some debate about whether he actually has any money himself. I'll believe this when I see it, in any case.

 

[ClemFandango]

Saw this yesterday. I think i'll believe it when I see it.

 

[spurious]

I don't know who this guy Earick is, but he looks like a fucking clown. Based on about 30 seconds of googling, it seems there is some debate about whether he actually has any money himself. I'll believe this when I see it, in any case.

I didn't invest more than 30 seconds on this either, but couldn't find out much on him other than the proposed offer, and the inevitable "tech entrepreneur" label. Clown sounds about right.

 

[ClemFandango]

Ally Gold has quoted “sources” close to Tavistock, which is the company behind ENIC run by the Lewis kids, saying the club is still not for sale and that they haven’t received any approaches anyway.

 

[USspur]

 

[ClemFandango]

There appears to be an official statement as well ..

"The Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited is aware of recent media speculation and confirms that its majority shareholder, ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd has received, and unequivocally rejected, an informal expression of interest in relation to a proposal to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of the Club from a consortium led by Mr Brooklyn Earick.

"The board of the Club and ENIC reconfirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC is not looking to sell its stake in the club."

 

[USspur]

Brooklyn Earick makes final call on £4.5bn Spurs takeover as statement released

The tech entrepreneur has confirmed with an update to the London Stock Exchange the latest on the talk surrounding his Tottenham Hotspur takeover bid

www.football.london

Brooklyn Earick has confirmed to the London Stock Exchange that he and his consortium does not intend to make a firm offer for a Tottenham Hotspur takeover.

Tech entrepreneur Earick, who failed earlier this year in a bid to acquire Formula E team Maserati, was fronting the £3.3billion takeover approach from a 12-strong group from the USA including NFL and NBA investors, with a further £1.2billion reportedly set aside as transfer funds for head coach Thomas Frank.

However, after plenty of social media posts surrounding the subject, a statement was lodged with the stock exchange on Monday which read: "Further to the announcement made by the Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited on 26 September 2025 regarding an informal expression of interest in relation to a proposal to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of the company, Mr Brooklyn Earick confirms that he does not intend to make a firm offer for the company."

The update follows on from the news last week that the Asia-based consortium of investors led by Firehawk Holdings Limited had also confirmed that they would not be bidding for a takeover of Tottenham.

Early last month Spurs announced that they had "received, and unequivocally rejected, separate preliminary expressions of interest in relation to proposals to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of ENIC from PCP International Finance Limited and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited".

PCP soon confirmed that they would not be following up with a bid and on Friday, the Asia-based consortium led by Firehawk did the same.

Spurs rejected Earick's informal approach and now he has completed the hat-trick of those pulling out from making any formal offer.

Tottenham also released a statement to the stock exchange on Monday saying: "The Board of Tottenham Hotspur notes the recent announcements from the Firehawk and Mr Earick's consortiums that they do not intend to make an offer for the club. The Board thanks them for the constructive approach taken in the discussions with the club's and the Lewis family's representatives and respecting the clear position of the Lewis family that the club is not for sale.

"Following the announcements made by the consortiums, the club is no longer in an offer period under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers."

 

[SpiderSpurs]

Brooklyn Earick makes final call on £4.5bn Spurs takeover as statement released

The tech entrepreneur has confirmed with an update to the London Stock Exchange the latest on the talk surrounding his Tottenham Hotspur takeover bid

www.football.london

Brooklyn Earick has confirmed to the London Stock Exchange that he and his consortium does not intend to make a firm offer for a Tottenham Hotspur takeover.

Tech entrepreneur Earick, who failed earlier this year in a bid to acquire Formula E team Maserati, was fronting the £3.3billion takeover approach from a 12-strong group from the USA including NFL and NBA investors, with a further £1.2billion reportedly set aside as transfer funds for head coach Thomas Frank.

However, after plenty of social media posts surrounding the subject, a statement was lodged with the stock exchange on Monday which read: "Further to the announcement made by the Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited on 26 September 2025 regarding an informal expression of interest in relation to a proposal to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of the company, Mr Brooklyn Earick confirms that he does not intend to make a firm offer for the company."

The update follows on from the news last week that the Asia-based consortium of investors led by Firehawk Holdings Limited had also confirmed that they would not be bidding for a takeover of Tottenham.

Early last month Spurs announced that they had "received, and unequivocally rejected, separate preliminary expressions of interest in relation to proposals to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of ENIC from PCP International Finance Limited and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited".

PCP soon confirmed that they would not be following up with a bid and on Friday, the Asia-based consortium led by Firehawk did the same.

Spurs rejected Earick's informal approach and now he has completed the hat-trick of those pulling out from making any formal offer.

Tottenham also released a statement to the stock exchange on Monday saying: "The Board of Tottenham Hotspur notes the recent announcements from the Firehawk and Mr Earick's consortiums that they do not intend to make an offer for the club. The Board thanks them for the constructive approach taken in the discussions with the club's and the Lewis family's representatives and respecting the clear position of the Lewis family that the club is not for sale.

"Following the announcements made by the consortiums, the club is no longer in an offer period under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers."

Whatever his grift was, thankfully ENIC saw straight through it.

 

[USspur]

Two failed Spurs bidders teaming up to buy Levy's stake - and he wants £1billion

TWO failed Spurs bidders are joining forces to try to buy Daniel Levy’s stake in Tottenham. SunSport revealed in September how American former DJ Brooklyn Earick had planned to lead a world record …

www.thesun.co.uk

TWO failed Spurs bidders are joining forces to try to buy Daniel Levy’s stake in Tottenham.

SunSport revealed in September how American former DJ Brooklyn Earick had planned to lead a world record £4.5bn buy-out of the club.

That came after a Hong Kong based consortium led by billionaire businessman Ng Wing-Fai also signalled its interest in offering club owners Enic and the Lewis family a deal.

But now the two bid leaders are attempting to join up and agree a package to purchase ousted chief executive Levy’s 29.9 per cent stake.

It is understood that Levy, forced out of Spurs after 25 years in a boardroom putsch instigated by the Lewis family in September, is seeking around £1bn for his shares, which would value the club at around £3.3bn.

That was the exact valuation of the club in Earick’s initial approach in the autumn, with £1.2bn of his promised total outlay placed in funds for transfers, wages and agents fees.

Under Takeover Panel rules, after withdrawing their separate bids, both Earick and Wing-Fai are prevented from “making a bid or taking other steps towards a takeover” for six months, a period which runs out on March 6.

But that would not prevent either of them – or both combined – from purchasing Levy’s stake, which is marginally below the 30 per cent threshold which would demand a full bid.

In addition, when Earick withdrew his initial bid, the Stock Exchange statement issued by Spurs added: “Mr Brooklyn Earick and the Consortium also reserve the right to acquire shares of the Company, subject to, and in accordance with, the Code and other applicable regulations.”

SunSport understands Wing-Fai, chief executive of Triller Group, a company created following the “$4bn” – just under £3bn – merger of two Hong Kong tech companies, is willing to meet Levy’s asking price.

But he is also understood to want a “relegation clause” reducing the value of the deal if Spurs, currently 14th and nine points clear of the drop zone, were to go down, something that Levy might be likely to reject.

Earick and Wing-Fai are believed to have made contact over forming a concert party to bring the potential deal to fruition.

Representatives of Enic have indicated they are not aware of any potential agreement between Levy and the possible buyers.

Sources close to the family are also questioning what any buyer of Levy’s shares could hope to gain, given the Lewises retain a dominant position and insist they have no wish to sell.

But the latest manoeuvrings come as strong rumours persist that former Newcastle executive Amanda Staveley, whose PCP International Finance were also keen on a potential takeover at the start of the season, is also mulling a fresh bid next month.

And that all means Levy could be able to dangle a financial carrot that will allow him to walk away with a huge sum – and gain a measure of revenge over Enic after the brutal end of his relationship with the Lewis family.

 

[jaxdermot]

Two failed Spurs bidders teaming up to buy Levy's stake - and he wants £1billion

TWO failed Spurs bidders are joining forces to try to buy Daniel Levy’s stake in Tottenham. SunSport revealed in September how American former DJ Brooklyn Earick had planned to lead a world record …

www.thesun.co.uk

TWO failed Spurs bidders are joining forces to try to buy Daniel Levy’s stake in Tottenham.

SunSport revealed in September how American former DJ Brooklyn Earick had planned to lead a world record £4.5bn buy-out of the club.

That came after a Hong Kong based consortium led by billionaire businessman Ng Wing-Fai also signalled its interest in offering club owners Enic and the Lewis family a deal.

But now the two bid leaders are attempting to join up and agree a package to purchase ousted chief executive Levy’s 29.9 per cent stake.

It is understood that Levy, forced out of Spurs after 25 years in a boardroom putsch instigated by the Lewis family in September, is seeking around £1bn for his shares, which would value the club at around £3.3bn.

That was the exact valuation of the club in Earick’s initial approach in the autumn, with £1.2bn of his promised total outlay placed in funds for transfers, wages and agents fees.

Under Takeover Panel rules, after withdrawing their separate bids, both Earick and Wing-Fai are prevented from “making a bid or taking other steps towards a takeover” for six months, a period which runs out on March 6.

But that would not prevent either of them – or both combined – from purchasing Levy’s stake, which is marginally below the 30 per cent threshold which would demand a full bid.

In addition, when Earick withdrew his initial bid, the Stock Exchange statement issued by Spurs added: “Mr Brooklyn Earick and the Consortium also reserve the right to acquire shares of the Company, subject to, and in accordance with, the Code and other applicable regulations.”

SunSport understands Wing-Fai, chief executive of Triller Group, a company created following the “$4bn” – just under £3bn – merger of two Hong Kong tech companies, is willing to meet Levy’s asking price.

But he is also understood to want a “relegation clause” reducing the value of the deal if Spurs, currently 14th and nine points clear of the drop zone, were to go down, something that Levy might be likely to reject.

Earick and Wing-Fai are believed to have made contact over forming a concert party to bring the potential deal to fruition.

Representatives of Enic have indicated they are not aware of any potential agreement between Levy and the possible buyers.

Sources close to the family are also questioning what any buyer of Levy’s shares could hope to gain, given the Lewises retain a dominant position and insist they have no wish to sell.

But the latest manoeuvrings come as strong rumours persist that former Newcastle executive Amanda Staveley, whose PCP International Finance were also keen on a potential takeover at the start of the season, is also mulling a fresh bid next month.

And that all means Levy could be able to dangle a financial carrot that will allow him to walk away with a huge sum – and gain a measure of revenge over Enic after the brutal end of his relationship with the Lewis family.

Just what Levy deserves... he earned another huge payout......