American Rap Legend Jay-Z Is Plotting An Over £2Billion Bid Takeover Of Tottenham Hotspur Amids Uncertainty Of Spurs Owner Joe Lewis Fate.

American rapper and businessman, Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is reportedly plotting to buy Tottenham Hotspur in a stunning £2.2 billion takeover.

This is coming after the British owner of the club, Joe Lewis has been accused of orchestrating an insider trading scheme to enrich friends and lovers, he pleaded not guilty to the charges after being arrested by prosecutors in the United States. 

The 86-year old billionaire Lewis is the man originally behind ENIC, which owns 70 per cent of Spurs.

Mr Lewis, who was born above a pub in East London and amassed a fortune of more than £5b from currency trading, appeared in a New York court last week to deny 16 counts of securities fraud and three further counts of conspiracy against his name, which allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2021. He was released on bail, and is likely to face trial later this year.

The charges each carry a maximum sentence of between five and 25 years in jail.

It means, if found guilty, that the north London club will likely find themselves in need of new ownership, as Lewis would be forced to give up his ownership of the club per Premier League rules, and Jay-Z is reportedly ready to 'move quickly' if a chance to buy the club arises.

In the midst of all, an American publication, Daily Express US reported that Jay Z is waiting in the wings to enter, as he prepares to bid for Tottenham Hotspur if the club’s owner is convicted of fraud and insider trading.

The 53-year-old rap legend who is worth in excess of £1.95billion ($2.5bn), according to Forbes, with investments spanning across 45 companies through his venture capital firm Marcy Venture Partners. He is backed by a group of US investors who are waiting in the wings to learn the fate of Spurs supremo Joe Lewis.

The Brooklyn-born star, is best known for his contributions to the music world but his wide-ranging business sense has helped to make him one of the richest men in music, and has made a huge effort to put his money into diversity investments.

Despite being famous for his music, Jay-Z is known to be a big football fan, and he is one of a number of famous celebrities who have allegiances to Premier League clubs. 

The move comes 13 years after Jay Z expressed interest in becoming a major investor in North London rivals Arsenal. He said at the time that he was a huge fan of the team then led by his then favourite player, Thierry Henry.

Although a partnership with the club never materialised, as the bid fell flat but Jay Z, already a joint-owner of top NBA basketball team New Jersey Nets still has interest to invest in a Premier League club. Speaking back in 2010, he said: "I don’t know a lot about the business of soccer, but in the future if the right opportunity presented itself, then who knows?"

"I am a businessman, and I will always look at an opportunity, and if it feels right great."

The links between Jay-Z and Spurs may come as a surprise to some, especially given the rapper has previously stated that his allegiances lie with the Gunners when it comes to football.

Back in 2010, He even offered Arsenal's players free tickets to come and see him perform whenever he came to London.

His close business associate has told the Daily Express that the hip-hop billionaire is still in love with England’s “beautiful game”

“More than a few of the very top clubs there  like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea, are now under US ownership and Jay would jump at the chance of a controlling interest at board level somewhere with the global reach of Spurs.

“It remains to be seen whether Mr Lewis will walk away free. If he doesn’t, Jay has said he wants to be in a position to move quickly if he feels the price is right.

“He believes this is achievable, especially with the backing of fellow investors.”

According to Forbes most recent valuation, Spurs’ estimated market value has risen slightly this year to £2.18b ($2.8bn), a sum well within reach for Jay-Z.

The rapper who sees the takeover of Spurs as purely a business move, has sold more than 140 million records worldwide and owns his own record label.

His business investments over the years also saw him become the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019. Oh, and to add to all of this, he's married to Beyonce, whose own  personal net worth is said to be around £429 million ($500m).

Jay-Z is also aware of the growing number of Premier League sides under US ownership and is therefore tempted by the prospect of owning one of the biggest clubs in England.

Currently, four of the top six are owned by Americans – John Henry at Liverpool, Stan Kroenke at Arsenal, Todd Boehly at Chelsea and the Glazer's family at Man United.

Tottenham on the other hand, finished last season down in eighth place in the Premier League and star striker Harry Kane is widely expected to leave the team this summer for German champion Bayern Munich. 

The North London team last won a trophy back in 2008 and this season has no European tournaments after last year's mid-table finish. 

Amid the ongoing speculation surrounding the future ownership of the club, Spurs have still been relatively active in the transfer market this summer.

Striker Manor Solomon, who was on loan at Fulham last season, has arrived on a free transfer, while Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski has completed his permanent move.

Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also arrived from Empoli and is likely to slot in as first choice immediately.

Their biggest signing so far has been the signing of James Maddison from Leicester City. The Englishman has been one of the best-attacking midfielders in the Premier League for a number of seasons and has joined the north London club from the Foxes for £40m.

Despite their incomings this window, there are still some Spurs fans who feel disgruntled with the lack of spending in recent years.

Perhaps, if Jay-Z does take over the club, things could change.