Tottenham’s owners may be bluffing over takeover stance – ‘there’s a conversation to be had’
Tottenham’s owners do not need to sell the club currently and will be happy to wait while interest in the club increases.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that as long as Spurs continue to perform, their value will steadily rise.
Tottenham were recently the subject of a £4.5billion takeover bid from American investor Brooklyn Earick, but that offer was rejected by the Lewis family.
Qatari investors also hold a long-standing interest in Tottenham and NFL owners are understood to be keeping an eye on the situation in North London.
However, whilst the club maintains they are not for sale, putting out a statement to that effect on 7 August [Tottenham], this may be a tactic employed by the current owners to strengthen their negotiating position.
Every club has a price
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley explained that whilst Spurs’ owners are likely quite content to keep the club, their strong stance on not selling may be a negotiating tactic to raise the club’s value.
The finance expert thinks that “every club’s for sale at the right price”, and a raised offer from the £4.5bn bid made by Earick would mean “there’s a conversation to be had”.
Plumley said: “If you do own Tottenham Hotspur, it is absolutely plausible to sit there and go, well, we’re not desperate to sell, we’re still enjoying owning this football club, and actually, if we progress and keep doing well, the value’s gonna increase.
“So our exit is further down the line when the value’s higher. That’s one side of it.
“Now, the other side of it, of course, is if somebody comes in then and says, okay, well, I’ll raise my offer, then there’s a conversation to be had.
“I think it’s probably a little bit of both. And listen, there’s no need for them to sell Tottenham Hotspur, and you can see why they would want to keep a club like that.
“But I just go back to that line in football of, every club’s for sale at the right price, whether they’re openly for sale or not, that’s the reality. So I think it’s probably a little bit of both.”
Tottenham in strong financial position amid takeover talks
Despite their on-pitch woes that culminated with the club finishing 17th in the Premier League last season, Tottenham are in a strong position financially.
Spurs’ overall revenue dropped from £550m in 2022-23 to £528m in 2023-24, but their commercial income rose from £228m to £255m in that same time period.
What’s more, Tottenham’s victory in the Europa League final last season netted them a place in the Champions League this season and their revenue will greatly increase as a result.