Tottenham Hotspur CEO Vinai Venkatesham insists the club is not for sale | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur have moved quickly to quash takeover speculation in the wake of Daniel Levy’s shock decision to step down as chairman. CEO Vinai Venkatesham has reaffirmed that Spurs are not for sale, despite recent interest from would-be buyers.

On Sunday night, the club and its majority owner, ENIC, issued an unambiguous statement, transcribed by Sky Sports Football: “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC has no intention to accept any such offer.” The announcement followed reports that two separate groups, one involving financier Amanda Staveley’s PCP International and another consortium led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing Fai-Ng of Triller, had expressed interest in buying the club. PCP subsequently ruled themselves out of the running.

The timing of the speculation has heightened intrigue. Levy’s exit last week ended nearly 25 years of leadership, during which, despite the relative lack of on-field success, he transformed Spurs into one of Europe’s richest clubs, moving into their state-of-the-art £1bn stadium and regularly competing in the Champions League. His departure sparked questions over whether ownership could also be in flux.

Venkatesham, however, was unequivocal. “The Lewis family are really clear,” he said. “They see their involvement in Tottenham Hotspur being long-term, continuing through the generations. We made a statement very late on Sunday night and I hope it was unambiguously clear that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale.”

He also emphasised ENIC’s financial commitment to the club. “There is firm backing against our ambitions to be successful on the pitch, both on the men’s and women’s side. They know that will require investment, and we have their support to do that, of course in line with financial fair play rules.”

Despite persistent rumours of foreign interest, including previously denied links with Qatar Sports Investments, Tottenham remains among the few major English clubs not to have changed hands in the past quarter-century. With the club valued at as much as £4bn, clarity over ownership was deemed essential following Levy’s departure.

For now, Venkatesham’s message is clear: Spurs are not on the market, and their future lies firmly in ENIC’s hands.

GFN | Finn Entwistle