“FORGET THE ARAB MONEY”- Amanda Staveley has just filed official paperwork as serious £500m Tottenham takeover plot evolves which will frustrate Newcastle
Amanda Staveley may be on the verge of breaking the hearts of Newcastle United fans by making a significant investment in Tottenham Hotspur, with the latest updates suggesting that her plans are moving forward quickly. Staveley rose to prominence as the public face of the high-profile takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)-led consortium in October 2021. As part of the deal, she acquired a minority stake in the club, which further endeared her to Newcastle supporters. Staveley’s involvement was seen as crucial, as she became one of the most visible figures in the consortium that revitalized Newcastle’s fortunes.
However, Staveley’s time on the Newcastle board came to an abrupt end earlier this year. She was unexpectedly ousted from her position, a development that caught both Newcastle players and fans off guard. Her sudden departure shocked the Newcastle fanbase, where she had earned a cult-hero status. Over her tenure, she became a fan favorite, with banners and tifos displayed in her honor at the Gallowgate End of St James’ Park, a testament to the deep connection she had built with supporters. Following her exit, she sold her minority stake in the club to the Reuben Brothers, who were fellow minority partners in the ownership consortium.
While many fans expected Staveley to retreat from football following this episode, it now appears that she is eager to return to the sport. Reports have emerged that she is pursuing a £500 million investment in Tottenham Hotspur, one of the Premier League’s most high-profile clubs. Such a move would come as a disappointment to Newcastle fans, who had grown accustomed to her role as a key figure in their club’s resurgence.
The prospect of Staveley investing in Tottenham aligns with recent developments at the North London club. In April, Tottenham chairman and co-owner Daniel Levy confirmed that the club’s majority owners, ENIC, were seeking additional capital investment. This investment is expected to come in the form of a part-takeover, with several high-profile investors linked to the deal. Tottenham is currently valued at £3.75 billion by Levy, although some financial analysts have expressed skepticism over this valuation, citing concerns over its sustainability given the club’s financial and sporting performance in recent years.
Despite these concerns, Staveley appears undeterred by the hefty price tag attached to Tottenham. In fact, the latest reports suggest that her interest in the club is gaining momentum, with formal updates being issued from her camp, indicating that she may be ready to take the next steps.
Earlier this year, Staveley raised £500 million earmarked for football-related investments. This capital was raised through PCP Capital Partners, the company that she co-owns with her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi. Staveley’s ability to raise such significant capital is largely credited to her extensive network of contacts in the Middle East, where she has built a reputation as a highly connected financier. Her relationships in the region have helped her secure backing from influential investors, making her a formidable player in the world of football finance.
However, in a surprising development, PCP Capital Partners, which was rebranded as Apollo Belvedere Services in 2023, has recently gone into liquidation. This followed a legal dispute with a former client, Greek shipping company Restis. Despite the legal challenges, Staveley remains undeterred in her ambitions.
Interestingly, Staveley used another of her companies, Cantervale Limited, to facilitate her original investment in Newcastle United back in 2021. In a new twist that suggests further investment is on the horizon, a recent filing with Companies House on Tuesday revealed that Cantervale Limited has now changed its name to Redstar Leisure Limited. This name change could indicate that a new football-related investment, potentially in Tottenham, is in the works. The accounts for Redstar Leisure suggest that Staveley’s stake in Newcastle, which was valued at £39 million, was the company’s sole investment. If Redstar is indeed a special-purpose vehicle intended for football investments, this change could be a strong signal that Staveley is preparing for a new acquisition.
As for Tottenham’s timeline for securing new investment, it is unlikely that any deal involving Daniel Levy will be completed quickly. Levy is notorious for his tough negotiating tactics, and even if both parties reach an agreement, regulatory approvals typically take around 12 weeks to finalize. Furthermore, Tottenham has been quietly seeking investment for several years now, indicating that a deal may still be some time away.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, speaking to *TBR Football* earlier this year, projected that Daniel Levy would likely remain in charge of Tottenham even after new investment is secured. It has been suggested that any minority investment could see ENIC selling between 10 and 25 percent of their equity in the club. While this would not result in a full takeover, it would give an incoming investor considerable influence within Tottenham’s boardroom and decision-making processes.
Several other parties have also expressed interest in investing in Tottenham. Both MSP Sports Capital and Qatar Sports Investment have previously been linked to potential takeovers of the club. However, a full takeover by either party appears unlikely at this stage. Instead, Tottenham is more likely to pursue a minority investment, which would allow ENIC to retain control while bringing in additional capital to support the club’s development.
In conclusion, Amanda Staveley’s potential move to invest in Tottenham Hotspur represents a major shift in her football ambitions. Having played a pivotal role in the Newcastle United takeover, her potential investment in Spurs could mark the beginning of a new chapter in her involvement in English football. While Newcastle fans may feel disheartened by her departure, it is clear that Staveley’s passion for the sport remains undiminished. Her recent business moves, including the renaming of her investment company and her ability to secure substantial capital, suggest that she is ready to make another high-profile investment in football.
However, with Daniel Levy at the helm and Tottenham’s valuation presenting potential challenges, any deal is likely to take time. Regulatory approvals and complex negotiations will mean that this potential investment could be months away from completion. Nonetheless, if Staveley’s involvement in Tottenham materializes, it will undoubtedly have a significant impact on both clubs and add another intriguing layer to her evolving role in the world of football ownership.