Daily Express

The Liverpool team may have been feeling a tad downcast as they headed into the October international break. After a forgettable week leading up to the latest window, the Reds suffered three consecutive losses against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea. Both domestic defeats were the result of last-minute winners, a tough blow for Arne Slot's team as the current Premier League champions relinquished their top spot in the table to Arsenal.

However, it appears that a change could be just what most of Slot's squad needed, with an impressive 15 of his senior players called up for international duty. They all seem to be in high spirits too, judging by the various photos and videos shared by their respective national teams, as the Liverpool contingent aims to recover from their club-level difficulties.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Florian Wirtz is putting in extra hours training with Germany as he seeks to kickstart his career with the Reds, while Andy Robertson has shrugged off injury worries after sustaining a knock against Chelsea to participate in full training with Scotland.

The first day of fixtures took place on Wednesday, with Mohamed Salah having a day to remember. And with several of his Liverpool team-mates also set to play over the next few days,Express Sport takes a look at how Liverpool's internationals are getting on during the break...

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Frimpong tells 'sore loser' Spurs star to 'have respect'

Whilst Jeremie Frimpong may not have enjoyed the most promising beginning to his Liverpool career on the field, his influence away from it cannot be questioned. The Netherlands star is undoubtedly a vibrant personality, and he has lost no time in bonding with his fresh teammates.

Unsurprisingly, he remains a beloved figure within the Dutch squad as well. And he couldn't help but deliver a playful jibe at Tottenham Hotspur's Xavi Simons' expense during the Netherlands' recent training session.

In footage shared on social media by the Dutch national team, Frimpong can be observed participating in a keepy-uppy rondo alongside several team-mates, including Simons and fellow Liverpool ace Cody Gakpo.

Frimpong needed to stay sharp to maintain possession following a volleyed delivery from Simons, colliding with the filming cameraman in the process, with the rondo subsequently ending when possession eventually returned to the Spurs midfielder.

Simons complained before the rondo resumed, but after failing once more, the exasperated midfielder took the ball and launched it skywards.

"See, this is what losers do, bro!" Frimpong then quipped to the cameras. "Sore loser, bro. Why did he kick the ball away?" Addressing Simons directly, he then declared: "Hey, have respect, have respect bro!"

Both Frimpong and Simons will be candidates to feature on the right flank for the Netherlands when they face Malta in their upcoming World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening, before welcoming Finland on Sunday.

Ekitike creates a stir to impress two-time World Cup winner

Hugo Ekitike has made a brilliant start to his Liverpool journey, netting five times in his opening 10 appearances, and will be eager to carry such momentum into the international period with France.

The forward earned his maiden cap and second appearance for his nation - both coming off the bench - during the previous break, but might be set for a first start this time round.

The 23-year-old has been given the number nine jersey, and with Kylian Mbappe facing fitness concerns, plus several of France's regular attacking choices missing the squad due to their own injuries, Ekitike stands as at least a candidate for a more significant role on this occasion.

He has certainly boosted his chances during training sessions too, as he continues to catch the eye of boss Didier Deschamps - with the Frenchman amongst just three individuals to have claimed the World Cup as both player and coach.

The France national team shared footage of a finishing drill on their social media platforms, with Ekitike spotted finding the net with efforts from both his right and left foot.

And his clinical display drew admiration from Deschamps, as the two-time World Cup champion could be heard declaring: "Oh yes, that's what happens when you're two-footed!"

France welcome Azerbaijan in their next World Cup qualifier on Friday before making the trip to Iceland on Monday.

Konate moves closer to fitness comeback Despite suffering a quad injury during Liverpool's loss to Chelsea, Ibrahima Konate remains with the French squad, suggesting the issue is minor.

The centre-back has been spotted training, although he has also been seen working individually alongside Mbappe as France cautiously manage the pair.

L'Equipe reports that both players trained "without any apparent discomfort at the start of the session" during France's latest Wednesday session, before proceeding with their individual training.

While it's uncertain whether Konate will be fit to play against Azerbaijan on Friday, Liverpool can take comfort in the fact that his injury sustained at Stamford Bridge was not severe.

Salah breaks records and ends social media 'silence'

During Liverpool's Premier League title charge last season, a post-match selfie from Mohamed Salah was a common sight. Fans certainly enjoyed these small glimpses into the celebrations of the soon-to-be champions after each victory, with Salah often pictured alongside his fellow goal scorers.

However, this trend hasn't continued into the current season, with Salah's performances not quite reaching the lofty heights of last year. As a result, his performances have come under scrutiny.

Liverpool's star forward has been quiet since their 3-2 triumph over Atletico Madrid three weeks ago. With the Reds suffering three consecutive losses, his last social media post was following Slot's team's Merseyside derby victory against Everton.

However, that 'silence' was broken when Salah made history, helping Egypt secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday evening.

The striker netted twice in a 3-0 win against Djibouti, first with a clever finish in a one-on-one situation in the first half, and then by lobbing the goalkeeper with a first-time volley late in the second half after being played in behind the defence.

These goals propelled Salah to become Africa's all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualification, with his tally now at 20, moving him two ahead of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and Islam Slimani.

The 33-year-old is now poised to participate in his second World Cup, having also scored the goal that secured Egypt's place in the 2018 finals in Russia.

Despite Sergio Ramos hindering his performance in that year's tournament, Salah will be aiming to overcome those past setbacks as Egypt gear up for what will be only their fourth-ever appearance at the World Cup.

Understandably, the Pharaohs were ecstatic after the final whistle. Salah even ended his social media 'silence', sharing a picture of the squad celebrating in the dressing room, accompanied by a heart emoji.

Bradley vs Wirtz round II

Conor Bradley is set to face off against his Liverpool colleague Florian Wirtz in Northern Ireland's second match of the October international break, when they welcome Germany on Monday.

In the previous encounter between the two nations, Wirtz emerged victorious, netting a spectacular free-kick as Germany claimed a 3-1 victory.

Before their clash with Germany, Northern Ireland will first play host to Slovakia on Friday. However, after witnessing their upcoming opponents defeat the Germans in World Cup qualification, the Liverpool player isn't taking anything lightly.

"Windsor Park will probably be at its best over the two games so we have to manage the expectations of that," he stated ahead of the double-header. "I've a lot of faith in the team. We have a really good group of players.

"We feel more prepared than we did for the last Euros campaign. We've a bit more experience now and hopefully that will help us.

"I was surprised they (Slovakia) beat Germany, I think everyone was. Germany are a top team and not many sides have beaten them in the last few years.

"Slovakia are a very good team with good players, but we have some good players too, so we're looking forward to it."

Arsenal are considering a temporary move to Wembley Stadium while they expand the capacity of their Emirates Stadium home. The Gunners are looking into ways to increase their stadium's capacity from its current 60,700 and could expand it to over 70,000, which would make it the largest football ground in London. There are several options on the table as the club consider what the best option is.

It is believed that Arsenal could alter the gradient of the stands and modify the seating plan to accommodate more fans, while maintaining the outer bowl's appearance largely unchanged. However, this could necessitate relocating their home games to Wembley, as reported by The Telegraph.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

This is a step that was previously taken by their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur when they demolished White Hart Lane to construct their new stadium on the same site. Next season will mark two decades since Arsenal moved from Highbury to their modern stadium just a few streets away.

At the time of its completion, it was the largest club stadium in London and the second largest in the Premier League. However, the Emirates has since been surpassed by West Ham's London Stadium with a capacity of 62,850 and Spurs' new stadium at 62,500. Liverpool's renovated Anfield also now has a larger capacity than the Emirates, at 61,276.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

The proposed expansion of the Emirates, which could cost £500million if they add 10,000 extra seats, would be expected to generate tens of millions in additional annual revenue, and the increased capacity could help to meet some of the demand from the season ticket waiting list, which currently exceeds 100,000. Plans have accelerated this year, but they are intricate.

It's probable that the work would involve augmenting nearly every part of the stadium rather than just one stand and cost hundreds of millions to complete.

Arsenal are also constrained by a 17-acre site in a predominantly residential community. The Victoria and Piccadilly Tube lines, as well as several nearby stations and the Great Northern train line, run adjacent to the ground. However, it's reported that discussions with architects have been optimistic about the potential to enlarge the stadium within its current footprint.

Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison has provided an update on social media as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. The midfielder was carried off on a stretcher following what appeared to be a routine challenge for the ball during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United this summer.

It was subsequently revealed that the 28-year-old had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), requiring surgery. Maddison is expected to remain sidelined for a considerable period, though he could potentially return in the latter stages of the season should his rehabilitation progress smoothly.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

The injury represented a devastating setback for Tottenham's creative midfielder, who now faces missing next summer's World Cup for England in the United States. However, the former Leicester City star appears to be putting in considerable effort during his recovery process - sharing an update via his Instagram stories on Monday.

"0 resistance BFR (Blood Flow Restriction). If you know the struggle, you know the struggle," he posted, accompanied by a laughing face emoji. Maddison was exercising his right leg on a leg extension machine.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking shortly after Maddison's injury occurred, Spurs boss Thomas Frank said: "I think it's disappointing but also devastating for me and mainly for Madders that he's out of the team.

"We will miss him and no doubt he will miss playing football."

Writing on Instagram in August, he described the injury as the "lowest low I've ever had". "Heartbroken at the fact this injury has occurred at this time in my career," penned Maddison.

"With the [Uefa] Super Cup tomorrow, the Premier League season on the horizon, the exciting Champions League campaign and it being a World Cup year for England it all feels very, very cruel."

Maddison moved to the club from Leicester in 2023. He netted 12 goals across 45 appearances for the north London outfit last season.

Harry Kane has essentially ruled out the prospect of returning to the Premier League next summer. The England captain, 32, has indicated he is prepared to pen fresh terms at Bayern Munich as he remains "all in" on extending his stay in Germany. The former Tottenham frontman still has two years remaining on his existing agreement, though Bayern have already signalled their desire to prolong his tenure.

Kane has a complicated clause permitting his departure for £56.7million next summer, with Tottenham holding first refusal as part of the arrangement that secured his move to Germany just over two years ago. Manchester United have also long admired the Three Lions skipper. But the Bayern talisman, who claimed the Bundesliga title last season and has already netted 19 times for club and country, declared: "In terms of staying there longer, I could definitely see that.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

"I have not had those conversations with Bayern yet but if they were to arise I would be willing to talk and have an honest conversation. Obviously, it depends on how the next year or so goes and what we achieve together. Right now, I would say we are in a fantastic moment and I am not thinking about anything else.

"In terms of the Premier League, I don't know. If you had asked me when I first left to go to Bayern, I would have said for sure I would come back. Now I have been there a couple of years, I would probably say that has gone down a little bit, not so much, but I wouldn't say I would never go back.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

"What I have learnt in my career is that different opportunities and different timings happen and things fall in place. Going back to my first point with Bayern right now, I am fully all in with Bayern."

Kane also made it clear that his loyalty to Bayern also comes from enjoying his new adventure in the Bundesliga even if it probably ends any chance of a Spurs return or even a move to Major League Soccer in the future.

He added: "If there was a conversation about extending then we will see, but I have still got this season and another season. It is not like I am in my last year, it is not like there is any panic in that sense.

"I am calm, I love the manager at Bayern, I think he is fantastic and as always in my career as long as we are improving and I am improving then I am happy to see what we can achieve. I think MLS is too early for sure the way I feel right now, the way I am playing right now. The MLS would be something later in my career when I am thinking about the last couple of years or so."

Tottenham have released a statement to the London Stock Exchange confirming that Brooklyn Earick does not intend to make a firm offer to buy the club. The tech entrepreneur, who earlier this year failed in an attempt to buy Formula E team Maserati, was leading a £3.3 billion takeover bid from a group of American investors, including NFL and NBA backers. An additional £1.2bn had reportedly been earmarked as transfer funds for head coach Thomas Frank.

However, following numerous social media posts on the topic, it has emerged that a firm offer will not be forthcoming. On Monday, Tottenham released a statement which read: "The Board of Tottenham Hotspur notes the recent announcements from the Firehawk and Mr Earick's consortiums that they do not intend to make an offer for the club. The Board thanks them for the constructive approach taken in the discussions with the club's and the Lewis family's representatives and respecting the clear position of the Lewis family that the club is not for sale.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

"Following the announcements made by the consortiums, the club is no longer in an offer period under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers."

Earick also submitted a statement of his own, saying: "Further to the announcement made by the Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited on 26 September 2025 regarding an informal expression of interest in relation to a proposal to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of the company, Mr Brooklyn Earick confirms that he does not intend to make a firm offer for the company."

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

This update comes after last week's news that the Asia-based consortium of investors led by Firehawk Holdings Limited also confirmed they would not be making a bid for a Tottenham takeover.

Spurs announced early last month that they had "received, and unequivocally rejected, separate preliminary expressions of interest in relation to proposals to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of ENIC from PCP International Finance Limited and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited."

PCP quickly confirmed they would not be pursuing a bid, and on Friday, the Asia-based consortium led by Firehawk followed suit.

Spurs turned down Earick's informal approach, completing the trio of potential buyers who have withdrawn from making a formal offer.

It comes just over a month after Daniel Levy left his role as executive vice-chairman, having been involved with Tottenham for the last 24 years.

At the time, Levy was quoted as saying: "I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level.

"More than that, we have built a community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.

"I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately."

When you think of Tottenham in the late 2000s, names like Gareth Bale, Dimitar Berbatov and Luka Modric come to mind - players who defined an era with their dynamism, finesse, and footballing genius. And yet, hidden among them was a player who, at least in former Spurs striker Darren Bent's eyes, outshone them all when the ball was at his feet: Adel Taarabt.

Taarabt was one of football's great teases - a player tipped for superstardom whose raw flair and audacity seemed pulled straight from the streets. His touch, flair and on-ball elegance drew comparisons to the great Zinedine Zidane. But for all the Moroccan's artistry, genuine effectiveness was too often fleeting, much to Bent's surprise. "It's a tough one because he had all the attributes," the 41-year-old said speaking exclusively to Express Football. "He was strong, powerful, he had unbelievable feet... he's got the best feet I've ever seen in terms of dribbling, going past people.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

"A couple of times [at Spurs] he showed flashes [of his brilliance]... but I don't know why, it just didn't happen for him in the Premier League."

Taarabt arrived at Tottenham in January 2007 as a wide-eyed 17-year-old, plucked from French side Lens with the aura of a boy destined for greatness. At first it was just a loan, but within six months Spurs had seen enough of his technical wizardry to make the move permanent.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Yet in north London, he never really found rhythm. Opportunities were scarce, particularly under Juande Ramos, and flashes of talent were left to wither on the sidelines amid accusations of attitude problems.

It wasn't until he moved to Championship club QPR that Taarabt's light finally began to burn, dazzling in flashes that reminded everyone why he had once been tipped for greatness - even if it came a rung or two below the heights so many had imagined for him.

At Loftus Road, Taarabt became the heartbeat of a revival. In 2011, he played a central role in powering the club back into the Premier League after a 12-year exile, finally granting him a stage that felt worthy of his gifts.

A loan to Fulham followed, where he reunited with his old Spurs team-mate Bent. After that, he enjoyed a brief spell at European giants AC Milan, before heading to Lisbon for a five-year stint at Benfica, where he truly found his feet.

In Bent's eyes, getting the best out of Taarabt was never straightforward, but more than worth the effort. To him, Taarabt wasn't just a mercurial talent with unmatched feet, he was also a nice lad who simply needed the right management to unlock his brilliance.

"He really made his mark that year at QPR in the Championship when he got promoted where he won Top Goal Scorer of the Year, Best Player," Bent said. "I think he won all the awards but I do think sometimes managers have to play their part. I think Neil Warnock knew how to get the best out of him in terms of how to press the right buttons at the right time.

"He was a great guy, one of my favourite guys, even though he found it tough at Tottenham. As a person, you really wanted him to succeed because we saw it in training, we saw how good he can be. He was always smiling, he was always joking, he was always laughing.

"So I'm glad that when he left England and he went to Benfica it really worked for him and he did really well there because again, his ability was top drawer. But for whatever reason, sometimes it doesn't work out, right?

"You come to England and people just don't excel like you'd expect them to but as a person, what a guy. I still speak to him now, fantastic team-mate and a really good person."

Bent, now a talkSPORT pundit, is one of just 34 players to have scored 100 or more Premier League goals. He spent two years at Tottenham, scoring 25 goals in 79 games. He also had notable stints at Ipswich, Charlton, Sunderland and Aston Villa, and earned 13 caps for England.

Darren Bent is raising awareness of The Football Association’s Silent Support Weekend. More information is available on the England Football website.

Thomas Frank's Tottenham Hotspur are set to dust themselves off after a string of disappointing results as they prepare to take on Leeds United in Saturday's early kick-off. New signing Xavi Simons has come under fire for his recent performances.

Joao Palhinha was the saviour for Spurs during their last Premier League outing, securing a point with a well-placed strike in added time against Wolves, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The spoils were split once more on Tuesday when Frank's side journeyed to Norway for a Champions League clash. Bodo/Glimt took an impressive 2-0 lead, but a goal from Micky van de Ven and an own goal from the opposition's goalkeeper managed to claw back a point. Daniel Farke's Leeds are up next. Express Football brings you all the latest news regarding the white half of north London, including new recruit Simons facing criticism, a former Chelsea star's revealing confession, and the reason behind Ryan Mason's departure from Spurs.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Ex-Chelsea player Oscar reveals why he turned down Spurs

Brazilian ace Oscar made his Premier League debut 13 years ago when he joined Chelsea in a £25million deal from Internacional. He clocked up 200 appearances for the club under various managers, proving himself a valuable midfield asset and helping the team secure two league titles and the Europa League.

In 2016, he surprised many by accepting a move to the Chinese Super League. Oscar inked a lucrative four-year contract with Shanghai Port after transferring for an estimated £60m.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking on his The Obi One Podcast with former team-mate John Obi Mikel, Oscar revealed that before his move to west London he was courted by Spurs. The 34-year-old, who currently plays for São Paulo in Brazil, confessed that Chelsea were the superior choice.

"I had Tottenham as well, because André Villas-Boas was there," he disclosed. "Villas-Boas was the first one to call me. I played under Villas-Boas in China, and he always said, 'I talked to you, why didn't you come?' But, you know, Chelsea... I cannot compare. Chelsea is better, so I chose Chelsea. And it was the right choice."

Doubts over Xavi Simons raised

This summer, Dutch international Simons made a move opposite to Oscar's when he landed in north London despite being heavily linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge. He cost Spurs £51m and while he is still acclimatising to English football, some have been quick to question his capabilities.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor expressed his doubts on talkSPORT following Tottenham's 2-2 draw against Bodo/Glimt. "Simons, I'm not sure about," Agbonlahor declared. "It's early on, we don't want to judge players after five, six games, but I'm really not sure about him.

"You know, sometimes you see a player and you're like, 'Oh okay, I like him, yeah, yeah, I like what he's about.' But I watch Simons and I'm like, 'Oh, he's on the floor.' He doesn't seem rapidly quick when I watch him as well."

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Ryan Mason sheds light on Tottenham exit

Mason, a boyhood Tottenham fan who had been with the club since he was eight years old, bid farewell this summer to take up the managerial role at West Bromwich Albion. The 34-year-old, who was forced into early retirement in 2018 due to a severe head injury, played for Spurs from 2008 to 2016 and twice served as interim head coach, whilst also assisting several managers.

Following their Europa League triumph in Bilbao, Mason has now opened up about his decision to leave the club. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "In the last 12 months I had the desire [to go out on my own] and it felt like the time was right," adding that he had consulted Ange Postecoglou, who advised him to trust his instincts.

"I spoke to some clubs in the last 12 months, but nothing felt right. The way the season ended in Bilbao with Spurs was amazing. When I understood [West Brom] Albion were interested, it felt right. It's a massive club with great history and impressive people. I felt a real alignment and connection straight away."

Dominic Solanke is poised to go under the knife for ankle surgery in a desperate attempt to resolve the issue that has plagued the Tottenham striker since the summer. The 28-year-old is yet to feature from the start in a competitive fixture this season following an injury sustained whilst mis-hitting a ball during training sessions. Nevertheless, he seemed to be making progress after rejoining training with his Spurs teammates this month.

This followed an injection administered to the England international's ankle during September's international break, which initially appeared to ease the problem. However, Solanke continued experiencing discomfort in his foot and was forced to halt training activities. Thomas Frank confirmed whilst in Norway ahead of the club's Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday that a decision has been reached for the striker to undergo a minor operation.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

"Dom has got that ankle issue that's been bothering him for a little while. So now we decided to make a minor surgery," he explained.

"It's a small procedure. So that will mean he's not ready for today, of course. And of course, Leeds [this weekend] he's out as well.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

"We will have more news about the timeframe after the international break, but I don't expect it to be long."

Solanke is anticipated to be sidelined for weeks rather than months if everything proceeds smoothly with his minor surgery.

Frank dismissed any notion that recent weeks have been squandered in attempting to sidestep a procedure.

"I think you can look from two ways. That's the easy answer, but it's not that easy," he stated.

"If we knew we could have done the surgery a month ago, we probably would have done it."

"For me, it's always 'it is what it is, we deal from now'. We handled this situation in the way we thought was best because generally, no one wants to undergo surgery, no matter how minor it may be.

Spurs are short on strikers for the match against Bodo/Glimt, with summer signing Randal Kolo Muani's dead leg improving but not sufficiently for the Frenchman to make the trip to Norway, while Mathys Tel was not included in the Champions League squad.

It leaves academy graduate Dane Scarlett as the only natural striker to provide backup for Richarlison.

Cristian Romero has also remained in England, which Frank would only describe as "a precaution" following the centre-back's resilient performance in the 1-1 draw with Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday night.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.

The businessman leading a bid to buy Tottenham Hotspur swapped DJing for NASA before establishing himself as a tech entrepreneur. The Sun reports that a consortium spearheaded by American Brooklyn Earick is eyeing up the club, just weeks after two expressions of interest were turned down by Spurs' majority shareholders ENIC, which is controlled by the Lewis family.

Discussions between Earick and the club are believed to have commenced while former chairman Daniel Levy was still in charge but have gathered pace since his surprising exit was confirmed earlier this month. The 12-strong consortium, which is said to feature NFL and NBA backers, are prepared to splash out £4.5billion on the club, £3.3bn to purchase ENIC and the Lewis family's stake, plus £1.2bn for transfers, which could potentially be accessible from January onwards. That total sum would eclipse the record £4.25bn that Todd Boehly's consortium shelled out for Chelsea in 2022. But who exactly is Earick and what draws him to Spurs?

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Who is Brooklyn Earick?

Earick, 41, has certainly lived an eclectic life. He dedicated a decade to DJing and music production, entertaining audiences across North America and Europe while simultaneously nurturing a passion for football. He said in 2011: "It's crazy how big electronic music is everywhere.

"I always relate it to soccer. Soccer is massive everywhere else in the world, and it's just starting to gain a little steam here in the US. It's kind of the same with electronic music."

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

However, after becoming "burnt out" by the music scene, he made a drastic career change by securing a position at NASA as an electrical engineer. Speaking in an interview in 2016, he explained: "I spent the better part of a decade as a DJ and music producer. I've played shows all over the U.S, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe, from LA to NYC to London to Ibiza.

"I'm very fortunate to have done that for as long as I did, but I was definitely burnt out towards the end. So I hung up the headphones, moved to San Francisco and landed an internship at NASA Ames as an electrical engineer in the small spacecraft division.

"NASA is where I was first exposed to computer programming. I quickly realised how powerful it was, and loved the fact that if you had an idea, you could open your computer and start it right away. So I started taking online courses for both coding and design, reading books and brainstorming ideas."

The expertise he developed while working at NASA sparked his subsequent career transition into the tech industry, where he worked on numerous projects and established high-level connections. Earick established Redacted RnD, which describes itself as "a thought leader in blockchain innovation and digital assets."

Blockchain is a method of selling and recording digital currency, such as Crypto. He also operates a technology-focused investment fund called Algorith Capital. Earlier this year, he was on the brink of purchasing the Maserati MSG Formula E team, but the deal collapsed.

Why Tottenham?

Apart from last season's Europa League victory, Tottenham have endured a barren spell when it comes to silverware. Yet away from the action, the club represents a tremendous triumph courtesy of their magnificent stadium, widely considered among the finest sporting venues in the world.

Spurs generate approximately £4.8m from every home fixture, while commercial income has soared by a staggering 237 per cent when measured against their final complete campaign at the former White Hart Lane. The London location is also a draw, which certainly appeals to prospective purchasers from abroad.

An insider familiar with Earick revealed to the Sun: "Brooklyn and his team think everything is in place at Tottenham already.

"Spurs has a world-class stadium and training ground, the infrastructure is all in place. But with the investment they are ready to make, it will be the final step to turn the club into winners on the pitch as well."

Spurs' takeover stance

A club statement at the start of September said "Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale" after Amanda Staveley's PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited were revealed to be interested in acquiring the north London club.

ENIC controls 87 per cent of Spurs, but given that the remaining shares are publicly listed, the club falls under the UK Takeover Code. Consequently, any indication of interest or offer must be submitted to the Takeover Code panel and disclosed publicly.

A source close to the Lewis family trust has confirmed that they have not been informed of any consortium prepared to purchase Tottenham, reiterating that the club is not for sale.

Tottenham Hotspur's owners have stood firm in their stance that the north London club is not on the market, despite rumours of a record £4.5 billion takeover bid from a US consortium. Recent reports emerged that tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick is leading a consortium that has expressed interest in purchasing the club, just weeks after Spurs' owners ENIC dismissed two informal approaches to buy their majority stake in the Premier League team.

Earick, who earlier this year failed in his attempt to buy Formula E team Maserati, is said to be spearheading a £3.3 billion takeover bid from a group of 12, including NFL and NBA investors, with an additional £1.2 billion earmarked as transfer funds for head coach Thomas Frank. This total package would surpass Todd Boehly's £4.25 billion acquisition of Chelsea in 2022.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

However, insiders close to the Lewis family, who operate Tavistock, the company behind ENIC, told football.london that their position remains unchanged and Tottenham is still not up for sale. The family are also understood to have received no bid or expression of interest from Earick's consortium at this stage.

ENIC holds 87 per cent of the Lilywhites, but due to the remaining shares being publicly traded, the club is subject to the UK takeover code. This stipulates that any expression of interest or bid must be lodged with the takeover code panel and made public, which has not been the case thus far.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Whether ENIC would reconsider their position if an actual bid were to be made, particularly one exceeding the club's valuation, remains uncertain.

The Lewis family are key players in a period of significant transformation at Spurs. Daniel Levy, a long-standing chairman, stepped down after 24 years following an internal review instigated by the family.

Vivienne and Charles Lewis, siblings, have been present in the directors' box for recent home matches against Villarreal and Doncaster Rovers in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively. Vivienne also joined the club on their summer tour to Asia.

Earlier this month, an Asian consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng via Firehawk Holdings Limited informally indicated their intention to bid for Spurs on the day Levy left his post. Amanda Staveley and PCP International Finance Ltd are also thought to have shown sufficient interest, without formally indicating a forthcoming bid, triggering takeover panel rules on disclosure.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.

PCP later clarified that they would not be making an offer. In a statement prompted by the takeover interest, Spurs confirmed that ENIC had "received and unequivocally rejected separate preliminary expressions of interest" to acquire their entire stake in the club.

They declared at the time: "The board of the club and ENIC confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the club."

Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham emphasised this month: "There's been a lot of newspaper articles and a lot of media speculation around a takeover, so I can be really clear on this. So the Lewis family are really clear. They see their involvement in Tottenham Hotspur being long-term and they see their involvement continuing through the generations.

"We made a statement very late last night and a statement I hope was unambiguously clear that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale."

The report regarding Earick's bid also references a £250million stadium naming rights agreement having been secured by the consortium, though that sum would represent the lower end of such arrangements unless it covers only a relatively brief period.

The Staples Center in Los Angeles, home to NBA sides the Lakers and Clippers amongst other sporting franchises, was rebranded as the Crypto.com Arena in 2021 under a £565million 20-year naming rights agreement.

Similarly in LA, the SoFi Stadium, which houses the Rams and Chargers NFL franchises, opened in 2020 with naming rights valued at £504million across 20 years.

Given the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's worldwide recognition for football and NFL alongside other sporting occasions and concerts, anticipation had always been that any naming rights agreement would mirror its standing as amongst the globe's premier venues.