Friday 12 September 2014 16:51, UK
Private investment firm Cain Hoy Enterprises have formally announced their interest in buying Tottenham Hotspur.
The company, whose European head of investments is London-born Jonathan Goldstein, must formally announce their intention to make an offer by 5pm on October 10, in accordance with business code.
Cain Hoy, whose focus is on global property, retail, media and entertainment investments, are owned by a group of wealthy American businessmen, headed by Henry Silverman, and only announced the start of its operations on Thursday.
And on Friday, the company released the following statement: "Cain Hoy confirms that it is at the preliminary stages of assessing a cash offer for Tottenham Hotspur.
"Cain Hoy's considerations are at an early stage, and there can be no certainty that any offer will ultimately be made or at what price that might be.
"In accordance with the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, Cain Hoy must, by no later than 5pm on October 10, 2014, either announce a firm intention to make an offer or announce that it does not intend to. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Takeover Panel in accordance with the Code.
"This announcement has been made without the consent of Tottenham Hotspur and a further announcement will be made in due course."
According to Sky sources, representatives of Cain Hoy began making preliminary phone calls to sound out Tottenham shareholders last December.
Details of Cain Hoy's interest began to emerge this week as Tottenham were forced to put back their move into a new stadium at Northumberland Park, and the club released a statement which said: "Neither the club, nor its majority shareholder, are in any takeover discussions with Cain Hoy or any other party.
"As stated in yesterday's announcement regarding the new stadium project, THFC has been in discussions with multiple providers of finance so that the optimum financing package for the project can be achieved and, in the course of those considerations, has met representatives of Cain Hoy. However, there are no ongoing discussions with Cain Hoy.
"The club is focused on the new stadium development and the season ahead."
It is not yet known whether Spurs owner Joe Lewis could be persuaded to sell the club but Sky Sports understands Cain Hoy are very serious about buying the club and are optimistic a deal can be achieved.
