Tottenham confirm club is not for sale as two expressions of interest rejected | OneFootball

Both approaches were made since Daniel Levy’s shock exit

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

However, in a statement released late on Sunday, the club stated that two preliminary expressions of interest have been rejected.

Vinai Venkatesham (left) will take up Daniel Levy’s day-to-day duties

Getty Images

One of those was from former Newcastle United shareholder Amanda Staveley’s company PCP International Finance Limited and the other from a consortium led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.

The statement said: "As a consequence of ENIC’s majority ownership interest in Tottenham Hotspur, were any offer made to acquire ENIC and complete, a mandatory offer would be required under Rule 9 of the Code to acquire the shares of Tottenham Hotspur not already held by ENIC.

"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."

ENIC own 86.91% of Spurs. Of that majority share, the Lewis family own 70.12%, while Levy and his family hold 29.88% of the share capital. That remains the case after his exit as chairman.

Even before Levy left the club last week, there has been significant speculation of a potential takeover, whether that be from Middle East investment or an American consortium.

Amanda Staveley failed with an approach in recent days

PA Wire

Levy revealed last year that the club were in talks with "prospective investors" over selling a minority share.

However, sources close to the Lewis family have insisted in recent days that the restructuring of the club at boardroom level, culminating in the decision to stand Levy down, has not been done in preparation for a sale.

The family are understood to be fully committed to Spurs and decisions have been made with the intention of delivering more consistent success on the pitch.

“Generations of the Lewis family support this special football club and they want what the fans want - more wins more often," a source close to the Lewis family told Standard Sport.

"This is why you have seen recent changes, new leadership and a fresh approach.

“In Vinai (Venkatesham), Thomas (Frank) and Peter Charrington, they believe they are backing the right team to deliver on this. This is a new era.”