Liverpool: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been approached to join a consortium led by former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia to buy a stake in the club. football news

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been approached to join a consortium that is negotiating to buy a stake in Liverpool.

Sky News revealed that Bezos had discussed joining a syndicate of investors led by former Queens Park Rangers co-owner Amit Bhatia, son-in-law of billionaire steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.

A source has warned he is unsure about going ahead with an investment in Liverpool FC.

Amazon and Blue Origin tycoon, who also owns it The Washington Postis estimated by Forbes Magazine boasts a fortune worth around $257 billion, making him the fourth richest man in the world.

He has reportedly explored bids for the Seattle Seahawks, this year’s Super Bowl winners and the Washington Commanders in the past, though he has not moved forward with a deal.

If Bezos were to go ahead with an investment in Liverpool, it would be a surprise, apparently despite the relentless flow of American money into the top flight of English football.

About half of the 20 Premier League clubs are mainly owned by US-based investors, although one of these – Crystal Palace – is currently exploring a sale.

Others with US owners include newly crowned champions Arsenal, while Manchester United is controlled by the Glazer family, alongside INEOS Group founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The investment group – led by Bhatia and backed by the Mittal family – has appointed advisers to work on a potential deal with current Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

FSG is a US based company controlled by John Henry. The group bought the club in 2010 for £300m and also owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

According to Financial TimesA deal with the Bhatia-led consortium would value Liverpool at $6 billion (£4.5 billion).

Bhatia was a co-owner of QPR until 21 July, when he transferred his stake in the club to Ruben Gnanalingam to pave the way for his consortium’s potential investment in Liverpool.

An FSG spokesperson confirmed the talks Sky Sports News, Added: “An investment consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”

Sky Sports News It is understood that any investment from Bhatia will be similar to the deal with Dynasty Equity in 2023.

FSG sold a small stake in the club to a US private equity firm for £164m, raising money to help pay down debt and fund capital expenditure.

US private equity firm Dynasty Equity spent up to $200m (£149m) to buy a stake and is a passive investor.

The investment was not used to fund future transfers.

Who is Amit Bhatia?

Bhatia worked as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley for several years before becoming an entrepreneur. He has investments in construction, real estate and private equity.

Bhatia was a director and co-owner of QPR, where a stand at Loftus Road now bears his name. During his time at the club, he helped oversee a period of significant progress with QPR being promoted from the Championship to the Premier League in the 2010/11 season.

They spent the next four seasons between the Premier League and the Championship and were last relegated in 2014/15. The closest they came to promotion in the 2020/21 season was finishing ninth.

46-year-old Vanisha married Mittal Bhatia in 2004. Vanisha is the daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose net worth is estimated to be over £22 billion.

A ‘tremendous potential investment’, but will it lead to further migration?

Analysis from financial expert Amber Pinto:

“This type of transaction is rare. This is such a strong and premium asset in the market that there is no question that it is a fantastic potential investment. The direction that FSG will take will be determined in due course. It is significantly early in the telling process and the devil will be in the details with such a deal.

“A strategic minority stake is when someone wants to take a role but not necessarily take control. Where a partner or a group believes they can add value to the existing majority or the rest of the shareholder group. It’s more than just capital. It will be on and off the pitch – commercial and operational.

“It’s about being a part of a sporting legacy (for Bhatia). They will be able to gain important insights into how one of the top 30 global sports franchises is run. It will only provide more opportunities for them and the club.”

Whether Liverpool can spend more money on players:

“Not necessarily. First, a deal of this size will not be done in a short time frame. It will be complex, with difficult layers to navigate as stakeholders work through it.

“Essentially, it could lead to growth and revenue growth that could impact the budget.”