British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia is reportedly leading a consortium to acquire ownership at Liverpool FC and is in talks with FSG.
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Amit Bhatia’s pursuit of a Liverpool stake has been building momentum, and the timing of his exit from QPR made it clear something bigger is in motion.
The British-Indian businessman stepped down as a director at Loftus Road after 18 years with the club, transferring his shares to fellow owner Ruben Gnanalingam just as reports of his Liverpool interest broke.
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It was widely read as a deliberate move to clear the path for a Premier League investment, given multi-club ownership rules would have complicated holding stakes in both clubs.
Bhatia is fronting the consortium alongside significant backing from his father-in-law, Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose family wealth sits around £23billion.
FSG confirmed the approach, stating that “an investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club”.
Discussions have remained at an early stage, but the numbers being floated are eye-catching, with reports suggesting the group could target as much as 30% of the club.
In further big news, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has held talks about joining Bhatia’s consortium, according to Sky News.
Any deal would see Bezos receive equity in Liverpool, marking his first serious look at Premier League ownership after previous, unsuccessful interest in NFL franchises like the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders.
But it appears that the size of the Bhatia consortium investment may not be as big as initially reported.
The Athletic’s Matt Slater has reported that while a 30% stake is being discussed, it’s on the top end of what would be possible and 8-10% stake could be more realistic:
“The first thing to say is Bhatia’s group wants more than three per cent. This deal is similar to Dynasty’s only in that it is a potential minority investment which will leave FSG still in charge. So, even if the stake is as large as 30 per cent, it is not like Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s “Friends with benefits” deal at Manchester United.”
“However, it would appear that a 30 per cent stake is at the top end of what the group is discussing with FSG, although the consensus number among my panel of experts was more like eight to 10 per cent, on an overall valuation for the club of £4.5billion ($6bn).”
Even at the lower end, this would be one of the most significant investment deals in the club’s history, and a further sign that Liverpool’s ownership structure could soon look very different to the one Reds fans have known since FSG’s takeover
Amit Bhatia
Jeff Bezos