Tottenham issue takeover statement after two bids as Amanda Staveley forced to clarify offer

Tottenham are in the process of change after Daniel Levy as chairman stepped down following 25 years and there is now speculation that the club could be subject to a takeover

Tottenham have insisted the club is not for sale after two “expressions of interest” were “unequivocally rejected” by the hierarchy.

The north London side are in the process of change at the top of the club after long-serving chairman Daniel Levy stepped down after 25 years. There is now increasing speculation that there could be a takeover bid.

Former Newcastle joint-owner Amanda Staveley has been linked with making an offer through her company PCP International Finance in recent months, having been seen at the club’s stadium last season.

But Spurs have released a statement insisting the club will not be entertaining offers after revealing interest from outside consortiums, including Staveley’s firm and a Chinese group.

The statement read: “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, 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.

READ MORE: Ex-Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley to clarify Tottenham intention after Daniel Levy exitREAD MORE: Inside Daniel Levy’s final hours at Tottenham from brutal meeting to players’ surprise

“The Board of the Club and ENIC confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the Club.”

Staveley, who has been holding talks with prospective backers of a bid, is now expected to make a formal statement confirming she does not intend to bid for Spurs – having spoken to the UK takeover watchdog, according to Sky News.

The Tottenham ownership is subject to the UK Takeover Code. PCP could return with a formal offer for the club if invited by ENIC’s board, or if a rival consortium declares its intention to make a bid.

Enic, which holds a stake of nearly 87 per cent, is controlled by British billionaire Joe Lewis, but he has since stepped back from his role. His children Charlie and Vivienne are expected to play a bigger role, with Peter Charrington a first major appointment from the new regime as non-executive chairman, replacing Levy.

Levy’s exit came as a shock, having been in charge since 2001. However, he insisted “significant progress has been made” despite coming under fire from supporters over the direction and decision making of the club over the decades.

“I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees,” Levy said in a statement confirming his departure. “We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level.

“I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately,” he added.

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