Article body analysed
By Matthew Mcevoy Published: 05: 01 AEDT, 31 October 2024 | Updated: 06: 53 AEDT, 31 October 2024 View comments American rapper A$AP Rocky's proposed £15million takeover of Tranmere Rovers hangs, after a key investor funding the deal pulled out. The 36-year-old, who is in a relationship with pop superstar Rihanna, is said to be part of an investment group headed up by celebrity lawyer, Joe Tacopina. Tacopina, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump, has reportedly been driving the deal with the League Two side's owners, Mark and Nicola Palios, for over six months. It's believed the consortium led by Tacopina, is looking to purchase over an 80 per cent stake in the club, worth £15million, while Indonesian investors, Santini Group, are set to keep their minority stake and remain at Prenton Park. But the buyout could be dead in the water after one of the consortium's principal investors withdrew from the deal. The investor was reportedly contributing 30 per cent of the funding for deal. A$AP Rocky's proposed takeover of Tranmere Rovers has hit snag after an investor pulled out Joe Tacopina (centre), Donald Trump's former lawyer, is heading up the proposed takeover It's believed the withdrawal is down to EFL requirements of prospective owners. It's suggested that while this individual did not fail the league's owners' and directors' test, they were 'reluctant to provide the relevant information' the EFL demanded. Tacopina is now faced with the task of bringing in fresh investment to save the deal. This may not be to hard for the celebrity lawyer, given the extent of his network and client list. Tranmere's current owner and former FA chief executive, Mark Palios, recently shed some light on the deal, and whether rapper Rocky was involved. 'You'll understand, I'm covered by non-disclosure agreements, not just with Joe Tacopina, who's related to A$AP Rocky, but with other parties who are looking at the club, ' Palios told Sky Sports. 'What I would say is the American market is hot to trot at this point in time for a whole host of reasons. They've got the World Cup coming up. ' 'They've always viewed European sporting assets as undervalued. And, 85 million Americans watch English football, 45 million of them are not dedicated to any club. You've got the Wrexham effect as well. So it is an attractive proposition, and I, of course, think Tranmere is an attractive proposition. ' Reports have claimed that a documentary in the style of the critically-acclaimed 'Welcome to Wrexham' could also be in the pipeline. The Disney+ show follows the journey of Hollywood duo Rob Mc Elhenney and Ryan Reynolds as they bought Welsh side Wrexham and lifted them into League One. Rocky is part of an investment group closing in on an 80 per cent stake worth £15million Tacopina is said to view Tranmere as undervalued and as such, a similar celebrity endorsement to Wrexham's could help to transform the club. 'Joe thinks Tranmere – a famous club, near to Liverpool – is undervalued and that by clever marketing and celebrity endorsement he can transform it, ' the source said. 'With the likes of Rocky on board, maybe so. .. ' Rap sensation Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, shares two children with Rihanna – RZA, who is two, and 15-month-old Riot Rose. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group