Liverpool is set for new investment, with a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos readying a move to put some money into the club for a significant minority stake.
Executive Chairman of Amazon Jeff Bezos attends the 11th Breakthrough Prize ceremony at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California
Jeff Bezos is set to be part of an investment group at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images) )
Jeff Bezos is preparing for his step into the world of sports, as the Amazon founder and world's fourth-richest man is set to be involved in an investment group looking to be part of Liverpool.
The 62-year-old is yet to invest in sports, though he has been rumored to have interest in American franchises across the NFL in the past few years.
A move into English soccer is a different beast altogether, as he and a consortium of investors prepare for a move that will shake up the balance of the Liverpool boardroom.
Current owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have confirmed talks are underway with a group led by Amit Bhatia, a British entrepreneur who is backed by his father-in-law, Lakshmi Mittal - the Indian steel magnate.
Bhatia was previously involved at Queens Park Rangers in the English second tier, but he announced the end of his time with it this summer in favor of a move to Liverpool.
A significant minority stake is up for grabs, which is believed to be around 30 per cent of FSG's stake. It's not enough for full control, but a significant investment that could result in a full takeover.
Some further financial power was needed, however, for the deal worth nearly $2 billion to go through. That's where a move for Bezos comes into play.
The Amazon founder was approached with an opportunity to join the consortium and has seemingly taken that chance to form one of the richest groups of investors in world soccer.
Bezos alone has a net worth of a mindblowing $278.7 billion, according to Forbes, which puts him among the most elite when it comes to his own valuation.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.(Image: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
That is then backed up by the fortunes of Bhatia and Mittal, which are estimated at a net worth of $34.1 billion, before even accounting for some others involved in the deal.
Eduardo Saverin, the co-founder of Facebook, is also involved in the deal. The businessman is worth roughly $33 billion as well, putting together one of the richest portfolios of individuals ever seen.
For those involved, the 30 per cent stake in Liverpool offers a first touchpoint for eventual full control, after reports claimed that a takeover is planned for some time in the future.
How involved someone like Bezos is likely to be in this situation is unclear; he could be anything from a silent investor to someone who shows up at Anfield and sits in the fancy seats in the middle.
Either way, it shows the staggering amount of investment that is being prepared for Liverpool, but what happens after is up in the air.