Tottenham weigh options as Daniel Levy holds takeover talks with several potential bidders

Speculation is mounting that Spurs could be the latest ‘big six’ club to go on the market, following reported plans for a £3.5billion takeover bid by the Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi, as well as interest from Qatari owners Paris Saint-Germain. the purchase of a minority stake.

Levy has reportedly had conversations with a number of interested parties over the past few months, and potential investors feel he and Lewis are open to a deal – although Spurs deny the club is for sale and insist that the pair remains fully engaged. .

standard sports have been told that potential bidders believe Levy, who has indicated he would want to stay at the club if agreed, and Lewis has yet to decide whether they want to listen to offers for the club, seek a minority partner or do nothing.

All discussions at this point would be exploratory, nothing should speed up until Levy and Lewis have decided on a course of action.

ENIC, which is majority owned by Bahamas-based billionaire Lewis and managed by Levy, currently owns 86.6% of the club, having originally bought 26% for £21.9million in 2001. The search for a minority investor would allow ENIC to raise capital. while retaining control, but may make it more difficult for Levy and Lewis to sell outright in the future.

Levy reportedly discussed the sale of a minority stake with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG chairman and chairman of Qatari Sports Investments, in London last month, although the club denied the meeting took place.

QSI’s interest in investing in Spurs would not be affected if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani succeeds in taking control of Manchester United.

Sheikh Jassim, chairman of a Qatari bank and son of the country’s former prime minister, made a ‘substantial’ offer for 100% of United on Friday, but sources in Qatar insist there is a clear split between the offer and QSI, leaving the latter’s interest in Spurs unchanged.

The Financial Times reported last week that Najafi, chairman of MSP Sports Capital, was preparing an offer for Spurs worth £2.5bn before adding around £517m of debt on the books of the club, aided by donors from the Gulf, mainly Abu Dhabi.

The numbers are thought to be lower than Levy and Lewis are likely to consider acceptable, but Spurs insist the club have never been rated.