Jay-Z ‘plotting to buy Tottenham in stunning £2.2bn takeover’ after Joe Lewis fraud arrest
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AMERICAN rapper Jay-Z is reportedly plotting to buy Tottenham in a stunning £2.2billion takeover.
That's after Spurs billionaire Joe Lewis pleaded not guilty to charges of insider trading.
The 86-year-old, whose family trust controls a majority of Spurs, surrendered to the US authorities in Manhattan and appeared in court on Wednesday.
Lewis was released on a 300 million dollar bond secured by his yacht and private aircraft.
And the claims that Jay-Z, married to pop sensation Beyonce, is now lining up an incredible offer for Tottenham.
The 53-year-old rapper is said to have amassed a personal net worth of £1.95bn, with his wife worth an addition £420m.
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Tottenham's estimated value is just over £2bn.
And Jay-Z, already a joint-owner of NBA side Brookyln Nets, is ready to lead a group of investors as they await the verdict of the charges against Lewis.
The shock links come after Beyonce headlined a series of concerts at Spurs' stadium this summer.
An associate of Jay-Z told the Express: “More than a few of the very top clubs there – like Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea – are now under US ownership and Jay would jump at the chance of a controlling interest at board level somewhere with the global reach of Spurs.
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“It remains to be seen whether Mr Lewis will walk away free. If he doesn’t, Jay has said he wants to be in a position to move quickly if he feels the price is right.
“He believes this is achievable, especially with the backing of fellow investors.”
It's not the first time Jay-Z has been linked with investing in a Premier League side either.
He reportedly expressed an interest in becoming a major investor at Arsenal 13 years ago.
Jay-Z's favourite footballer is said to be Thierry Henry.
And after his efforts proved unsuccessful, he was quoted as saying at the time: “I don’t know a lot about the business of soccer but in future, if the right opportunity presented itself, then who knows?”
The Express adds spokespeople for Lewis and for Jay-Z declined to comment on the future of Spurs’ ownership.
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