TRANMERE Rovers could be set for a sensational £15m takeover involving rap star A$AP Rocky according to reports in a national newspaper.
The Sun on Sunday newspaper has reported that the 36-year-old, who is in a relationship with pop superstar Rihanna, is said to be part of an investment group headed up by celebrity lawyer Joe Tacopina, who are in talks to takeover the League Two side for over six months with an 80 per cent stake worth £15m.
The Sun's on Sunday's Bizarre column said that the proposed takeover is awaiting regulatory approval from the EFL and if confirmed could mean "a Disney+ style Welcome To Wrexham documentary about Tranmere could be commissioned for a TV streaming giant."
Tacopina is well-known in the United States after defending numerous celebrity clients, including the late Michael Jackson, as well as being a regular commentator on legal matters on American television.
He also served as a personal attorney for former US president Donald Trump, representing him in the infamous criminal case involving payments made to pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels.
Hip hop star A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, is in a relationship with Barbadian singer Rihanna and the couple have two children together.
Quoting an unnamed source, The Sun on Sunday, wrote: “Rocky is tight with Joe and has committed to the Tranmere bid.
“Joe has been to Tranmere matches and Rocky has plans to go over too after the deal is completed.
“We may even see Rihanna watching League Two football.”
The source continued: “Joe thinks Tranmere — a famous club, near to Liverpool — is undervalued and that by clever marketing and celebrity endorsement he can transform it. With the likes of Rocky on board, maybe so.”
The rumours about the proposed takeover first surfaced in a New York Times article last month when it was reported that Tacopina was spotted at Prenton Park in April this year.
The US newspaper reported that that he had registered a company called Tac 1884 UK Limited in early May.
The report read: "He is the only director of the firm, which says its business is the 'activities of sport clubs', and its owner. Its address is the Norwich headquarters of sports law specialists Mills & Reeve, and 1884 is the year Tranmere were founded."
Tranmere have been owned by former Football Association chief executive Mark Palios and his wife Nicola, a lawyer, since 2014.
Tranmere Rovers has been approached by the Globe with a spokesperson saying: "The club does not comment on speculation".
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