Uncertainty has been thrown into the Tranmere Rovers takeover saga which could put a temporary hold on proceedings.
The Wirral club has been subject to interest from a consortium led by American lawyer Joe Tacopina but fronted by rapper A$AP Rocky over the past month. It was suspected that the group would have taken around 80% of the shares in the club, leaving current owners the Palios Family and Indonesian group Santini with a small stake.
Key Investor Pulls Out
London-based business paper City AM revealed that one of the key investors in the proposed bid has since pulled out of the deal. They understand that this individual was investing as much as 30% of the fee required to finalise the deal as a result of the EFL’s takeover processes.
Whilst they were expected to pass the owners’ and directors’ test all prospective shareholders must pass in order to take over a team, the individual that has pulled out was unwilling to provide information to the EFL needed.
Mr Tacopina is no stranger to investing in the sport having also been involved in deals for Roma, Bologna, Venezia and most recently SPAL. It is understood he is still seeking further investors for Tranmere Rovers, with Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, still on board.
Adkins Comments On Deal
Current Prenton Park boss Nigel Adkins, a fan of the club, has previously spoken on the prospect of the takeover, adding:
“Mark and Nicola (Palios) have talked publicly about how they have been looking for investment for several years now – I’m a Tranmere Rovers supporter and I’m from Birkenhead and I just want the best for our football club and if that is further investment to help the football club kick on then I’m really pleased about the potential the club has.
“It’s our football club and it’s a community club and I’m really looking forward to the potential that might bring to our club.”
Writer’s View
It is a less than ideal scenario for the club to have a key investor withdraw from the takeover bid. With January looming, having the knowledge of what finances you have to attack the market with is crucial for Tranmere Rovers’ prospects going forward. Hopefully, this delay in proceedings is short-lived and the club will have more clarity before they make deals come 2025.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
