Jay-Z plotting shock Tottenham Hotspur takeover bid despite Arsenal admission

Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis is facing charges of insider trading and securities fraud in America - which he denies - but it may open up the chance of a new ownership group taking control of the club

Iconic rapper Jay-Z is said to be plotting a shock takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur if current club owner, Joe Lewis, is convicted of insider trading. Lewis has amassed a fortune of more than £5billion from currency trading.

"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."

Spurs' estimated market value has risen slightly this year to $2.8 billion (£2.18billion) – a sum well within reach for Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. His associate added: "He believes this is achievable, especially with the backing of fellow investors."

The rap icon is now worth in excess of $2.5billion (£1.9billion), according to Forbes, and leads an American investment group. Jay Z's plan regarding becoming Spurs' owner comes 13 years after he expressed an interest in becoming a major investor in Arsenal after revealing he had become a huge fan of the team then led by his favourite player, Thierry Henry.

Despite that bid failing, Jay Z - who is already a joint owner of top NBA basketball team the Brooklyn Nets - insisted at the time: "I don’t know a lot about the business of soccer but in future, if the right opportunity presented itself, then who knows?" Spokespeople for Jay Z have declined to comment on the future of Spurs’ ownership, according to The Express.