Recent speculation has linked British business executive Amanda Staveley with a possible investment in Tottenham Hotspur, sparking considerable interest in the football community.
Staveley, known for her crucial role in the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s acquisition of Newcastle United in October 2021, is reportedly eyeing her next venture in football.
Speaking to TBR Football, financial expert Kieran Maguire provided some insight into the situation.
Maguire suggested that while Staveley’s name has been linked with Spurs, the specifics of her potential involvement remain unclear.
Despite her prominent role in previous high-profile deals, Maguire noted that Staveley’s financial resources might be constrained.
The recent sale of her stake in Newcastle, primarily to settle a loan used for the initial acquisition, indicates that her immediate cash reserves might be limited.
Kieran Maguire, a football finance lecturer at Liverpool University, asserted that Staveley is more likely to pursue a smaller equity stake in Tottenham rather than a full takeover.
Her investment strategy may focus on acquiring a minor share and flipping it for a profit in the short to medium term, rather than committing to a long-term stake.
This approach aligns with her historical investment patterns.
Maguire said:
“Amanda Staveley’s name has been linked with potential investment, but how much free cash she has is open to question.
She sold her stake in Newcastle to the Reuben Brothers, but that was effectively to repay the loan that they gave her to buy the shares originally.
There is likely to be a profit on that, but that does also suggest that she doesn’t necessarily have cash assets.
Hers are probably in other investments. A small stake in Spurs, flipping that in a few years’ time would be the M.O she is most likely to follow, rather than looking for a long-term investment.
It is unlikely to involve a position on the board given the dominance of Daniel Levy at Spurs, but it could be an investment with a view of getting a return in the short to medium term as a result of the club’s consistent growth.”
Although it is unlikely that Staveley would secure a position on Tottenham’s board, her investment could leverage the club’s ongoing growth.
Spurs have previously engaged in takeover discussions with other parties, such as the US-based consortium MSP Sports Capital.
As Staveley evaluates her next move, the Lilywhites remain a significant potential target for future investment.