Levy Defiant

Hatch99

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is set to repel any offers to buy the White Hart Lane club as its Stock Market value continues to soar.

The Spurs share price has risen by more nearly a third in the last fortnight as talk of a buyout bid by East European businessmen continues to gather pace.

Shares were selling at 116p each at 11.12am today up from 85p on April 20 and in a different world from the 29p on offer little more than 18 months ago.

Vagit Alekperov, rated by Forbes magazine as the 48th richest person worldwide with £6.3billion of net worth, is believed to be one of the men interested in following in the footsteps of Roman Abramovich and investing in an English football club.

Tottenham are an attractive proposition as they are based in London and are already a worldwide brand thanks to their rich tradition both at home and abroad.

The 56-year-old Alekperov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, one of the earliest centres of the international petroleum industry.

His father, who died when Vagit was a boy, worked in the oil fields all his life and inspired Alekperov to follow in his footsteps.

It is believed, however, that Levy - a lifelong Tottenham supporter - has no desire to hand over power. He has worked diligently to bring back former glories to the N17 club since ENIC took control of Spurs from Alan Sugar.

Another summer of big spending in the transfer market is planned to bring in the five-star players to transform Tottenham from UEFA Cup candidates into a side capable of breaking into the Premiership's top four with regular Champions League football at White Hart Lane the prime objective.

It is also thought that Levy, a loyal lieutenant to tycoon Joe Lewis, who owns the club's parent company, will be assisted by the Bahamas-based billionaire's son Charlie in bringing real success to Spurs.

Tottenham are already in a financial power of strength as they are comfortably ensconced among the top world's top 20 richest clubs.

Lucrative deals were struck last year with shirt sponsors Mansion and kit suppliers Puma and the club have 23,000 season ticket holders with another 30,000 on the waiting list and a blossoming membership scheme adding to the strong fanbase.

There are plans to redevelop White Hart Lane to increase the 36,000 capacity and Spurs have even announced their finances are so stable they can afford to snub offers of £40million for star striker Dimitar Berbatov with manager Martin Jol maintaining: "We are not a selling club."

galinka

:cool: If it was offered we would take it!!

Hatch99

Bear in mind it was in the news of the world.

Tottenham Hotspur are the subject of a secret £250 million bid from an as yet unnamed American organisation or individual.

The News of the World yesterday revealed that the American's interest had been made known to the current Spurs board including chairman Daniel Levy but that no deal was likely to be done.

The paper claims that any potential takeover at the club could offer the funds to resolve the club's long standing ground development dilemma and also fund a further strengthening of the playing staff to support a bid to break into the top four next season.

The potential investor currently remains a secret but could be revealed in the coming weeks.