Daniel Levy just got a big boost in £204m Tottenham transfer fund plan

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One of Daniel Levy’s more controversial plans has received the endorsement of a highly influential figure – and that could be good news for Tottenham’s long-term transfer plans.

Within ownership circles, Spurs chairman and co-owner is recognised as one of the best operators in the Premier League.

However, Levy‘s emphasis on sustainable growth – as well as what is sometimes considered an autocratic approach – has at times frustrated fans hungry for more success on the pitch.

The nadir came in the relationship between fans and board came in 2021, when Spurs and the rest of the so-called Big Six joined the European Super League.

After a monumental and historic fan backlash, Spurs quicky abandoned that breakaway project, which is still being pursued by Barcelona and Real Madrid under the banner of A22 Sports Management.

But while that flame appears to have been extinguished for Premier League clubs, the push for more matches to be played abroad very much remains.

Now, Spurs and their peer group have received a major boost in their private plans to see competitive matches in the United States and beyond.

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Tottenham games to be played in the US soon?

As quoted by the Daily Mail in 2020, Levy said he was “open-minded” about Premier League matches being played abroad.

And while the Super League backlash means he is unlikely to say anything else publicly in the immediate future, Spurs are one of the clubs backing the expanded Club World Cup.

The first edition of the new format will be hosted in the United States in the summer of 2025, with 32 teams competing for the title.

In a recent interview, Spurs non-executive director Jonathan Turner did not rule out more matches being played abroad in future years.

In the biggest boost for competitive matches being played abroad for some time, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan appears to have thrown his weight behind US-hosted Premier League games.

Speaking on the Sports Agents podcast, Khan said: “Liverpool, the club I support as Mayor of London, are currently on tour in America.

“They have big fans in America. Why can’t those fans see a competitive game? We’ve seen other leagues across Europe play competitive games elsewhere.

All 32 NFL teams have played in London, all of them have had a great experience. We have some of the top baseball teams playing in London.

“There are lots of obstacles, but I think that’s the way it’s going. It’s very important to take the fans with you. We don’t want fans missing out on more than one or two games a season in their home stadium.”

Spurs earned £204m in broadcast income at the last count. A huge sum by any metric.

But there is no doubt that a deal to take Premier League matches to the US would significantly bolster that figure.

With Levy’s self-funding model at Spurs, that would also likely have a major impact on their flexibility in the transfer market.

Khan’s comments come after Bournemouth owner Bill Foley became one of the first club owners to distance themselves from the push to take matches to the US.

TBR Opinion: Sadiq Khan’s wish for Spurs and others would be cultural vandalism

While Khan’s comments were not a formal endorsement, they do represent a PR win for the clubs who want the opportunity to play more lucrative matches in the US.

However, his remarks do appear to be at odds with his party’s stance.

Prime minister and Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer – who, incidentally, is a lifelong supporter of Spurs’ rivals Arsenal – has vowed to protect the interest of fans.

The new Labour government is also believed to be ready to strengthen the powers of the soon-to-be introduced independent regulator for English football.

Theoretically, that institution could have the power to stop Spurs and others taking competitive matches abroad.

The Premier League is one of the UK’s greatest exports and, besides its £8bn worth of annual economic benefits, has huge cultural significance to Khan’s constituents.

Removing it from its home against the wishes of bedrock fans, even on for one or two matches, would amount to cultural vandalism.