July 23 – Jeff Bezos has emerged as a potential investor in Liverpool after being approached by the consortium seeking to buy a 30% minority stake in the Reds.
The Amazon founder has reportedly been tapped up about joining the group – fronted by former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia – although the world’s fourth-richest person is yet to decide whether he wants to invest in English football.
The consortium has made a provisional offer of around £1.35 billion for a 30% stake in Liverpool, valuing the club at approximately £4.5bn. Discussions are understood to have begun three months ago, though Liverpool owners FSG insist negotiations remain at an early stage.
Bezos’ potential involvement could transform the scale of the proposed investment and the possible consequences for the club, with the 62-year-old having an estimated fortune of more than $250bn. The consortium is already backed by considerable wealth through Bhatia’s father-in-law, Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose family fortune is estimated at around £23bn.
FSG purchased Liverpool for £300m in 2010, meaning the reported offer would crystallise an enormous return while still allowing John Henry and his partners to retain a majority stake.
It comes after the club broke its own transfer spending record last summer with an outlay approaching £450m. An underwhelming season followed, which culminated in club legend Mo Salah leaving and head coach Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola.
The news also follows reports that FSG has shelved plans to acquire a second European club, a move that contributed to Michael Edwards leaving his role as FSG’s chief executive of football.
Contact the writer of this story, harry Ewing, at [email protected]