A$AP Rocky moves closer to buying English football club after acquittal

The takeover is back on

It emerged last year that the American rapper, who is currently in a relationship with pop sensation Rihanna, was set to purchase the League Two side as part of an investment group.

Those plans were put on hold when the 36-year-old was charged on two felony counts of assault, relating to use of a semi-automatic weapon in a 2021 altercation with his former friend, known as A$AP Relli, in Hollywood.

However, this week A$AP Rocky was found not guilty with widespread reports indicating that his takeover of Tranmere is now back on the table.

It is thought the consortium involving A$AP Rocky, also known as Rakim Athelaston Mayers, are set to land an 80 per cent stake worth £15,000,000.

The investment group including A$AP Rocky has been in talks with current Tranmere owners Mark and Nicola Palios over the deal for quite some time.

The takeover is set to mark a new era for Tranmere, who currently sit 22nd in the fourth tier of English football, three levels below the Premier League.

It is thought that Tranmere’s Indonesian investors, Santini Group, will keep their minority stake and remain at Prenton Park amid the planned takeover.

On the eve of the trial, the prosecution offered A$AP Rocky a deal of six months in jail alongside conditions including probation, if he would plead guilty to one count – but he maintained his innocence.

After the jury found him not guilty he addressed them saying: "Thank y’all for saving my life. You’re making the right decision."

Rihanna supported her partner in court most days and after the verdict, she took to Instagram to write: "The Glory belongs to God and God alone. Thankful, humbled by his mercy."

If the takeover is confirmed, the Merseyside club will hope to follow in the footsteps of Wrexham who were transformed on and off the pitch by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.