An investor consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is advancing talks to buy about a 30% stake in Liverpool, with the Guardian reporting a deal worth around £1.35bn (about $1.7bn) is effectively agreed.
Key facts
- A consortium including Jeff Bezos is in advanced talks for about a 30% stake in Liverpool.
- The Guardian reports the deal is worth in the region of £1.35bn (about $1.7bn).
- The group is led by Amit Bhatia, son-in-law of billionaire Lakshmi Mittal.
- Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is also part of the consortium.
- The Guardian understands the deal is effectively agreed but may take up to a month to complete.
A consortium of investors that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is advancing its talks to buy about a 30% stake in Liverpool, BBC Sport has been told.
The Guardian reports that the group is close to completing a deal for the stake after months of talks with Fenway Sports Group, the club’s current owners. The investors are set to pay in the region of £1.35bn (about $1.7bn) for almost a third of the Premier League club.
According to the Guardian, the consortium is led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal. Bhatia previously was a shareholder at Queens Park Rangers.
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is another member of the group involved in the talks, the Guardian reports.
The Guardian understands the deal is effectively agreed but may take up to a month to complete.
Both the BBC and the Guardian describe the discussions as advancing, with the consortium seeking a minority position rather than a full takeover of the club.
Why it matters
Liverpool is one of the most prominent clubs in the Premier League, so a large investment involving high-profile figures such as Jeff Bezos draws significant attention to the club's ownership structure. A deal reported to be worth around £1.35bn (about $1.7bn) for a minority stake signals the continuing scale of investor interest in top-flight English football.
Frequently asked questions
How big a stake is the consortium seeking in Liverpool?
The group is in talks to buy about a 30% stake in Liverpool, according to BBC Sport and the Guardian.
How much is the deal reportedly worth?
The Guardian reports the investors are set to pay in the region of $1.35bn for almost a third of the club.
Who is leading the consortium?
The Guardian reports the investors are led by Amit Bhatia, son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, and the group also includes Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.