Who is Jahm Najafi? Iranian-American billionaire lining up £3bn Tottenham Hotspur takeover bid

Jahm Najafi is reportedly preparing to launch a £3.1 billion takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur alongside a group of investors. The Financial Times have revealed that the Iranian-American billionaire is working with a consortium and is aiming to approach the Premier League club in the coming weeks.

Najafi, chairman of MSP Sports Capital, is set to make a bid that would see him forward 70 percent of the capital, while others would contribute the remaining 30 per cent. Other investors are likely to come from Abu Dhabi.

News of a potential takeover is likely to excite Tottenham fans after a difficult few years. Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy purchased 26 per cent of the club in 2000, which has since risen to 85.5 per cent, and they have since built a brand new stadium and helped them gain regular European football. However, fans have become increasingly frustrated at their lack of ambition as they search for their first piece of silverware in 15 years.

Here is everything we know about Jahm Najafi and his potential takeover bid...

Who is Jahm Najafi?

Born in 1963, Jahm Najafi has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California and a master’s degree in business economics from Harvard University. Najafi went on to work for Wall Street firm Saloman Brothers which became part of the Citigroup. He then served as CEO of Pivotal Private Equity as well as becoming partner and COO of the parent company, The Pivotal Group.

He is now a multi-sport chairman and chairs the MSP Sports Capital as well as owning the Najafi Companies - a Phoenix-based equity firm. The 60-year-old has invested in McLaren F1 team, collaborating with MSP Sports Capital and UBS O’Connor LLC. The Arizona-based investory is now one of two vice-chairman for McLaren racing with Bahrain investor Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa the other. Najafi also has the second largest stake in the NBA side the Phoenix Suns and has previously said the Suns helped him learn English when his family moved to Phoenix when he was 12.

Najafi has three children with his wife, Cheryl.

What is Jahm Najafi’s net worth?

Jahm Najafi reportedly has a net worth of around £2.9 billion. Tottenham’s current main shareholder, Joe Lewis, is believed to have a net worth of over £4bn.Najafi’s potential arrival would likely leave Spurs as a less wealthy club than the likes of Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.

Why does Jahm Najafi want to purchase Tottenham Hotspur?

While Jahm Najafi has already invested in sport, it is thought that his group’s desire to purchase the club has been enhanced by the potential real estate and development rights that would be made possible. A key part of Spurs’ development in recent years has been because of their new stadium which allows them to host concerts, NFL games and heavyweight boxing fights.