Disappointment, missed deadlines and poor communication.
These have been the recurring themes experienced by Tranmere Rovers fans since takeover rumours began over a year ago, in October 2024.
Much to the supporters’ frustration, current owner Mark Palios has been bound by Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) amidst negotiations with high-profile clients like rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers.
At the beginning of the 2025/26 season, Palios said he was “reasonably confident” of a change in ownership being completed by this Christmas.
This initially gave the Super White Army hope, but there has been no further update since, leaving loyal supporters in the dark.
So, with the festive deadline fast approaching, how has the takeover situation progressed and how do the fans feel?
Ifs, buts and maybes – but no absolutes
October 2024
The saga began in October 2024, when the Daily Mail broke the news that a consortium, headed up by Donald Trump’s former lawyer Joe Tacopina, had been in talks to purchase Tranmere for over six months.
The proposed deal meant that the group featuring Rocky, whose partner is award-winning artist Rihanna, would acquire an 80% stake worth £15 million – making them majority owners.
Tacopina has a proven track-record having owned several Italian football clubs – Roma, Bologna, Venezia and SPAL.
In fact, during his time at Venezia he took them from the fourth division to Serie B – leading to the city knighting the lawyer in recognition of his achievements.
Despite this, SPAL were relegated to Serie C and forced to start the 2024/25 season with a three-point deduction for missing a tax payment.
This led to Tacopina being handed a three-month suspension.
Rovers fans would be hopeful of a rise to England’s second division, the Championship, but also cautious of any potential mishaps if the lawyer and his consortium managed to purchase the Wirral club.
February 2025
The Americans’ potential takeover was further boosted in February 2025, when Rocky was acquitted of two felony counts of assault.
The American rapper was accused – but found not guilty – of directing a handgun towards former friend, Terell Ephron in a heated confrontation, before firing twice in his direction during a second argument on November 6, 2021.
At the time, several news outlets reported that Rocky’s acquittal meant that the consortium’s takeover was back on and more advanced than ever.
However, due to NDAs, communication from the club remained scarce as rumours raged across social media.
On February 6, Palios addressed this in a statement, in which he also disclosed that the club planned on having all paperwork into the EFL by the end of the month.
He said: “I fully appreciate that this is a frustrating period for everyone involved in the club, but as recently as yesterday it was confirmed that the parties are committed to progressing as quickly as we can.
”Speculation, from whatever source, is not helpful and I would ask fans to treat such unsubstantiated rumours with the contempt they deserve.”
April 2025
Two months on from the last release of information, April delivered the Super White Army some bittersweet news.
The club’s owner, who took charge of the club in August 2014, gave a new statement detailing how a takeover would not be completed by the end of the 2024/25 season – but looked likely to take place prior to the next campaign.
Palios said: “In April 2024, an exclusivity agreement was reached with a consortium of investors with the intention that they should be in place ahead of 2024/25.
“In this event, it has not been possible to complete the sale process. However, the directors anticipate that a sale will be completed ahead of the 25/26 season.”
This gave some Tranmere fans hope for the next season, while others expected another failed deadline with the club sat just five points above relegation at the time.
May 2025
After Rovers confirmed League Two survival on the penultimate day of the campaign, Palios released an end of season message to the fans.
He recognised the supporter’s frustration, but released a statement similar to the previous month.
Although, it was confirmed that active conversations were taking place with three different groups.
He added that the party who agreed terms last year, and the one that narrowly missed out at that stage were a part of the three involved groups.
September 2025
That brings us up to the most recent communication received from the current owners.
Palios explained that he was “reasonably confident” of a deal being done by Christmas.
But Rovers fans have taken this with a pinch of salt after the goalposts had seemingly been moved once again to yet another new deadline.
What do the fans think?
The general consensus amongst the Wirral side’s supporters is that Palios and his wife Nicola have taken the club as far as they can, and it is time for a sale.
However, the fanbase is split when it comes to how open the couple have been in conducting their business.
Peter Hanlon, a taxi driver and Tranmere fan from Birkenhead, acknowledged what good the owners have done, but took issue with their transparency.
He said: “Over the last couple of years they have tarnished their custodianship by not being honest and engaging with fans – such as moving the time frame for the sale.
”The fans want transparency and to be kept up to date regarding issues about the club – ultimately us fans have suffered.”
Meanwhile, Phillip Alan Rippon from Bebington, believes the Palios’ have not misled Rovers fans.
He said: “Takeovers of any business are complex and take time. Mark has pointed out numerous times that he is under strict NDA’s and can only disclose minimal information whereas he would probably want to devolve more information – but he can’t.”
Fellow Rovers fan and photographer Stuart Runham agrees with Rippon.
He added: “I’m not one of the fans who think there is some ulterior motive from the current owners.
”I’ll always be grateful for all the Palios’ have done for the club, without them I’m not sure we’d exist, and it would also be easy for them to take a quick sale, if, as some say, they didn’t care about the club.”
Due to a drawn-out sale process, many fans are justifiably frustrated but others like Runham and Rippon are more understanding – the fanbase remains split.
But the question on every supporter’s lips remains the same – will Tranmere get new owners before Christmas, and if not, when?
