There is certainly some discussion among Manchester United fans about whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s entry into the club was the best thing that could happen.
Mega-rich Qatari investors are reportedly planning a takeover of one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs that will send shockwaves across English football if it goes ahead.
There have been several previous attempts by individuals or groups from Qatar to buy a stake in a Premier League club, most famously Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani – who attempted to take over Manchester United in 2023.
The Qatari businessman was engaged in talks to buy United between February 2023 and October 2023 before retiring from the process, with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe instead buying a 27.7 percent stake in the club from the majority owners, the Glazer family.
Now a separate group of Qatari investors is planning a takeover attempt at Tottenham. Owner Joe Lewis is 87 years old and no longer has any interest in doing anything other than lounging in the shadows, has been keen to sell for some time.
The Guardian claims that the group is determined to take “control” of the north London club, but that the proposed takeover could take the form of a gradual takeover.
The identity of the Qatari bidders is unclear, but The Guardian claims that they are private individuals rather than the government-backed Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) or Sheikh Jassim. in Qatar, almost everything is owned by the same family.
In a move that may be unpopular with supporters, the Qataris are said to be willing to let current chief executive Daniel Levy remain at the club even if a full takeover is completed.
“Under one model being considered by investors, Levy will be offered a management contract to run the club, which will remain in place even if Enic, which owns 86.91 percent of Tottenham, becomes a minority shareholder,” the report said.
Levy has been the most influential figure at Tottenham since 2001, when Enic bought 29.9 percent of the club from Alan Sugar – later completing a full takeover in 2007.
Under Levy’s guidance, Tottenham’s financial position is said to have been “transformed”, with the 63-year-old overseeing the move to their state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – widely regarded as one of the best football pitches in the world.
But their relative lack of success on the pitch has frustrated supporters of the north London club, which last won a major trophy in 2008 when they beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
Spurs currently sit 14th in the Premier League table and are already out of both domestic cup competitions this season under manager Ange Postecoglou.
Supporters are planning a protest against the club’s ownership before and after Sunday’s home game against Manchester United.
Tottenham are currently looking for outside investment, and Levy said last year that the club needed “a significant increase in its equity base”.
However, sources at the club have told The Guardian that they are not currently involved in negotiations for a takeover.
Spurs have been the subject of previous interest from investors in America and the Middle East, but neither party has met the £3.75 billion value for the Premier League club.
