A$AP Rocky has moved one step closer to buying English football club Tranmere Rovers following his trial acquittal, according to reports.

News emerged last year that the American rapper – who is in a relationship with pop superstar 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, it was confirmed this week that A$AP Rocky had been found not guilty, with widespread reports indicating that the Tranmere takeover is now back on the menu and is edging closer towards completion.

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 long been in talks with current Tranmere owners Mark and Nicola Palios over the deal.

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

‘Thank y’all for saving my life,’ A$AP Rocky said to the jury after he was found not guilty in Los Angeles. ‘You’re making the right decision.’

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

Pop superstar Rihanna, also known as Robyn Fenty, was in court most days to support her partner A$AP Rocky during the trial.

After the verdict, she wrote on Instagram: ‘The Glory belongs to God and God alone. Thankful, humbled by his mercy.’

Once the Tranmere takeover is confirmed, the Merseyside-based club will hope to follow in the footsteps of Wrexham AFC.

The Welsh club were bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and the Hollywood duo have transformed Wrexham both on and off the pitch.

Wrexham have climbed up from the fifth-tier National League to third-tier League One and currently sit third as the fight for promotion to the Championship.

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