INEOS have launched legal action against Tottenham Hotspur over sponsorship talks related to Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich.

It follows Spurs’ decision to sue Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company in June over allegations INEOS had attempted to walk away from their deal.

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Ratcliffe’s INEOS have counter-sued Spurs for allegedly holding talks with a competitor[/caption]
It follows the legal action taken against INEOS by Daniel Levy and Spurs in June
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The club previously agreed a five-year partnership with the chemical firm in 2022.

Their relationship now appears fractured, though, with INEOS reportedly counter-suing the Premier League side.

According to The Telegraph, Spurs have been accused of holding talks with Audi over a potential sponsorship deal.

The discussions are said to have been linked with Kane’s sale to Bayern during the summer of 2023.

Court documents allege Spurs’ then chief commercial officer Todd Kline told Ineos’ chairman they ‘had been in discussions’ with Audi.

An extract states: “According to Mr Kline, the discussions and/or negotiations related to a proposed transfer of the Club’s player Harry Kane to the German club FC Bayern Munich.”

The England captain completed a £100million switch from Spurs to the German giants two years ago.

His former club are alleged to have held the talks whilst a deal to promote INEOS’ Grenadier car was in place.

The legal action is seeking more than £1million with the claim the club’s deal with INEOS was exclusive.

A statement from the firm read: “The particulars of claim make no mention of a highly significant series of events by which the club, unbeknown to INEOS, started negotiating with a major competitor to INEOS with the intention of granting rights to that competitor which were exclusive to INEOS under the agreement.”

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INEOS signed a five-year deal with Spurs prior to Ratcliffe’s Manchester United investment[/caption]
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The partnership saw the INEOS Grenadier logo displayed in the Spurs dugout[/caption]

Spurs first started working with INEOS five years ago after the company became their official hand sanitiser provider.

The pair later penned a five-year sponsorship agreement in 2022.

As a result, the logo of the INEOS Grenadier was displayed on seats in the dugouts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Their deal was agreed prior to Ratcliffe buying a minority stake in Manchester United.

The British billionaire’s purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils was finalised in February last year, with Ratcliffe now overseeing football operations at the club.

Why are Spurs suing Ineos?

Spurs launched their own legal action against INEOS back in June.

Their case relates to the cancellation of their sponsorship agreement with the company.

The club allege that INEOS had attempted to walk away from the deal, which was not due to expire until 2027.

However, INEOS responded by stating they had a ‘contractual right to terminate our partnership contract and in December 2024 exercised that right’.

Back on the football pitch, Spurs continue their campaign away to Manchester City on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.

Thomas Frank’s side are fresh from beating newly-promoted Burnley 3-0 on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.