According to a report from the Telegraph, Daniel Levy rejected a bid of £2.9 billion from an American businessman last year who was keen to buy Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
Levy has been chairman of Tottenham since 2001 and is the longest-serving of his peers in the Premier League. He acts on behalf of the ENIC group and Joe Lewis, the current owners of the club.
In recent years, the group and Levy himself have faced increasing pressure to sell the club, amid frustration at the ambition and level of investment from those in charge of the North London club.
After Tottenham Hotspur released their annual financial results last week, Levy appeared to hit back at claims that he and ENIC had not invested in the team, and instead cited ‘the financial impact of supporting player purchases which have not worked out as planned’ as a reason the club is being more wary of spending money.
It was reported earlier today that Iranian-American businessman Jahm Najafi is looking at buying Tottenham Hotspur as part of a consortium (Financial Times).
The Daily Mail reported a £3.1 billion offer from Najafi is unlikely to meet the valuation of Levy, Lewis, and ENIC. Now, the latest from the Telegraph reveals a similar offer was made, and rejected, last year.
The piece in the Telegraph states: “Sources claim [Levy] rejected a £2.9 billion offer from a different American businessman last year.” It is currently unknown who the businessman in question was.
In comparison, London rivals Chelsea sold for $5.4 billion (£4.5 billion) when American Todd Boehly completed his takeover of the club last year (Forbes).
GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Spurs Web Opinion
I can’t see the Najafi interest going anywhere, especially if he’s only offering £3.1 billion. If Chelsea sold for £4.5 billion, I would imagine Levy and ENIC would be looking for a similar deal, given the stadium we have now.
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