Jay-Z close links with Real Madrid and Arsenal strikers emerge as rapper prepares epic Spurs takeover bid

Music superstar Jay-Z is rumoured to be preparing a bid for Tottenham Hotspur if the club's owner is convicted of fraud and insider trading.

The 24-time Grammy Award winner is reported to be backed by a group of US investors who will pounce should the fate of Spurs owner Joe Lewis result in him needing to sell the Premier League club. Lewis has appeared in court in New York charged with securities fraud and insider trading, which the 86-year-old denies.

Jay-Z's link with a move to buy the North London club comes 13 years after he expressed interest in becoming a major investor in Arsenal, his team of choice thanks to a love for former striker Thierry Henry.

While that love for Spurs' rivals may not endear the rapper to fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, his net worth of over £1.95 billion and connections with some of the planet's most exciting talents may ease any worries.

Earlier this summer, Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior spent time with Jay-Z at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the musician's famous wife Beyonce brought her acclaimed Renaissance tour to the venue for a five-night residency.

Jay-Z'z Roc Nation Sports group bought 51% of Brazil's TFM agency earlier this month, which represents footballers including Vinicius Junior and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli. TFM is now in the process of being renamed Roc Nation Sports Brazil.

Celebrating the news Fred Pena, head of TFM/Roc Nation Sports Brazil, said: "Roc Nation can raise the profile of Vinicius' and other sportsmen's causes. It boosts this fight as well as the flag for education like the Vini Jr Institute and of course increases his commercial possibilities. Everything is raised to the tenth degree."

Should Jay-Z strike a deal to take over Spurs, those links will no doubt excite Tottenham Hotspur fans, especially in a world where star striker Harry Kane leaves for Bayern Munich this window.

Speaking on the bid, The Express reports that Jay-Z's associate said: “More than a few of the very top clubs there – like Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea – are now under US ownership and Jay would jump at the chance of a controlling interest at board level somewhere with the global reach of Spurs.

“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. He believes this is achievable, especially with the backing of fellow investors.”

Lewis, who has a net worth of over £5 billion, has been charged with 16 counts of securities fraud and three further conspiracy charges linked to 'insider trading' offences that were committed between 2013 and 2021. The charges each carry a maximum sentence of between five and 25 years behind bars.