Amit Bhatia is reportedly leading a group of investors to acquire a minority stake at Liverpool FC this summer.
It was reported by the Financial Times on Tuesday that QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia was leading a group of investors aiming to acquire a minority stake at Liverpool FC.
FSG confirmed the consortium’s interest in a statement to the Financial Times:
UK ONLY
“An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club,” it said.
The British‑Indian businessman has been tied to Queens Park Rangers since 2007, initially joining the Loftus Road board as representative of his father‑in‑law, steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, after the Mittal family purchased a significant stake in the club.
Over the past 18 years he has served as vice‑chairman, chairman and as a director.
It’s believed that their stake could increase Liverpool FC’s value past $6bn.
Now the Championship side have confirmed that Bhatia is departing the club amid the reported negotiations.
A statement from QPR read:
“After 18 seasons as a director and co-owner of QPR, Amit Bhatia has agreed to transfer his ownership in the club to majority owner Ruben Gnanalingam and will be stepping down from the board.”
Bhatia himself said:
“Since joining the club in 2007, QPR has been a deeply important part of my life, and of my family’s life. Over nearly two decades we have shared promotions, relegations, unforgettable highs and painful lows, and the memories we have made at Loftus Road alongside the supporters will stay with us forever.”
He added:
“I am grateful to my dear friend Ruben and his family for their friendship and partnership, as I am to Richard, Lee, Christian and everyone continuing to work on behalf of the club. QPR will always have a very special place in my heart.”
This departure, coming out just as reports of Bhatia’s interest in a minority ownership at Liverpool is surely not a coincident.
It only seems to confirm further that Liverpool could yet have another minority owner to go alongside RedBird Capital and LeBron James alongside FSG’s majority ownership.
Amit Bhatia
QPR