American businessman Todd Boehly has identified Tottenham or Chelsea for a possible bid.
Boehly, 46, who owns a 20 per cent stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, is backed by his private investment firm Eldridge Industries, which controls shares in a wide array of businesses from real estate, insurance and sport.
Boehly is interested in investing in the Premier League and sources in the United States believe he is currently favouring Spurs.
There are indications that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich values the Blues at around £2.5bn but senior figures in the City believe that Spurs may be worth more than that in the current market. The club’s new stadium, combined with state-of-the-art training facilities and the team’s run to this year’s Champions League Final, all make them a more valuable commodity in the present market.
It remains to be seen whether Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Joe Lewis — partners in the investment company ENIC International Ltd, which owns 85.55 per cent of the club — or Roman Abramovich would be willing to sell should they receive an offer.
Boehly, who studied at the London School of Economics, is assessing his options. A spokesman for the 46-year-old declined to comment when contacted by this newspaper.
Spurs said no offer had been made and they are not in talks with any party when approached by Standard Sport for comment. Chelsea have denied Abramovich is looking to sell.
Boehly is chairman of Eldridge Industries, a company formed by purchasing several media properties previously controlled by Guggenheim Partners.
There is no suggestion that Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners, chairman and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is involved in any potential deal.
American financial magazine Barron’s claimed in April that Eldridge has a private market valuation of $6billion (£4.72bn). Eldridge is based in Connecticut but has offices in London, New York and Beverly Hills. Its website lists 33 separate businesses under its banner and says: “We have the capital and resources to take a patient and measured perspective towards creating value by growing businesses.”
