Thomas Frank revealed whether Tottenham will smash their transfer record after a £100 million ($135m) cash injection from the Lewis family. After months of fevered speculation about potential Saudi and American investors circling the north London club, the owners have now made it crystal clear that the club is not for sale. Instead, they are doubling down on their commitment to push Tottenham towards the Premier League summit, with head coach Frank now giving them hope of a new dawn.
Spurs are ready to fight the big boys
Sitting third in the Premier League table with just one defeat in seven matches, Spurs are posing themselves as potential title contenders under new manager Frank. The injection of funds is believed to be just the tip of the iceberg of a wider financial drive under the new regime led by Vivienne Lewis, daughter of late billionaire Joe Lewis, who established the family’s fortune. Alongside her brother Charles and son-in-law Nick Beucher, Vivienne has taken personal charge of the club’s strategic direction, often seen in the directors’ box at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and at key boardroom meetings. Since the family’s decisive move in September to oust long-serving chairman Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s internal structure has shifted dramatically. The Lewis family, once viewed as distant owners, are now directly involved in the club’s operations, and they’re wasting no time asserting control. A source told the : “As the club's management decides what's needed to deliver success, more money will be available. The Lewis family is committed to backing the club to be successful."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportAmbitious takeover bid rejected without hesitation
Just weeks before the cash injection, Tottenham had turned down a jaw-dropping £4.5 billion ($6bn) takeover offer led by American entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick, which would have been the most expensive acquisition in football history. Earick’s proposal included £3.3 billion ($4.4b) to buy the club outright and a further £1.2 billion ($1.61b) earmarked for transfers and wages. His 12-member U.S. consortium, reportedly featuring NBA mogul Dan Gilbert, spent weeks in negotiations with the Spurs legal team. But Tottenham’s answer was emphatic: that the club was not for sale under any circumstances. Following the rejection, Earick’s camp admitted defeat, though it has kept the door open to “acquiring shares in the future.” However, as things stand, the Lewis family’s stance is unshakable as they are not ready to cede control, no matter the price.
Frank applauds “huge signal” of commitment
For Frank, the latest financial move represents a clear statement of unity and purpose. Speaking to the media, the Dane praised the Lewis family’s visible commitment and brushed aside the never-ending speculation surrounding ownership.
"First and foremost, I think it's hugely positive that the Lewis family is clearly showing their interest in doing everything they can to improve the club and back the club and want us to be as successful as possible," the coach said in a press conference.
"I think that's a sign of it, that they are injecting cash into the club. Also, because that's the thing I'm learning here with all the scrutiny, it's remarkable the three rumours about takeovers get so big.
"I'm so glad I'm not reading too much newspapers and nothing in social media. Just listening a little bit to the brief [from the press officer] and then you guys ask me questions because you can think too much about that. But the key thing is, they show their big, big, big interest publicly in trying to help the club. We know it internally. And how we will spend the money, of course, we will keep that for ourselves."
The return of Fabio Paratici as sporting director has only added fuel to the fire around Tottenham’s transfer plans. He is known for his sharp eye in recruitment and is now back in charge of transfer strategy after an enforced absence following a ban from football. With Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool having each splashed over £100m on a single player in recent seasons, speculation is rife that Spurs could be about to smash their own transfer record. Frank, however, was quick to temper expectations.
"I don't know," Frank said. "I think this world, you get surprised sometimes both ways. I think for me if you spend ten, £100 or £150 million – of course, there's a difference in the amount – I think the most important thing is that we have a very good recruitment strategy. And we're very aware of what we are recruiting and what we want in. And then from there take smart decisions. So that's it."
Getty Images SportWhat comes next?
Tottenham’s sensational start under Frank has reignited dreams of a Premier League title challenge. Their only defeat so far came in a narrow loss to Bournemouth at home. But the Dane remains grounded, aware that the upcoming schedule will test both his squad and their growing ambitions. Spurs face Aston Villa at home after the international break, followed by a tough Champions League trip to Monaco. Behind the scenes, there have been suggestions that if Tottenham remain in the title mix by January, the Lewis family would not hesitate to sanction a marquee signing which would potentially mark the start of a new spending era in north London.