Liverpool owners in talks to sell minority stake to British-Indian investor Amit Bhatia

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have confirmed they are in talks with British-Indian investor Amit Bhatia over a potential deal for a minority stake in the Premier League club. Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, is heading a consortium interested in buying into the 20-time English champions.

An FSG spokesperson confirmed the approach from Bhatia’s group, stating: “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.” The Financial Times reported that Bhatia has hired advisers to work on the offer, which could value Liverpool at more than $6 billion.

Bhatia, who previously served as a director of Queens Park Rangers and vice-chairman of the club’s holding company, is a prominent figure in British football. He has expressed pride and gratitude for his time at QPR, thanking players, managers, staff, and fans for making him feel part of the QPR family for many years. His involvement with Liverpool would mark a significant step in his investment career, further cementing his presence in English football.

The discussions between Bhatia’s consortium and FSG are believed to be at an early stage, with no deal struck yet. Any investment from Bhatia would be made to further position Liverpool for success, following FSG’s move in 2023 to sell a minority stake in the club to global sports investment firm Dynasty. Reports at the time valued that transaction between $100 million and $200 million.

FSG, which bought Liverpool for £300 million in 2010, has overseen a period of success for the club, including Premier League and Champions League titles. The potential sale of a minority stake to Bhatia’s consortium reflects FSG’s strategy of attracting strategic partners to support the club’s growth and competitiveness in an increasingly challenging football landscape.

Bhatia’s consortium is the latest in a series of investment groups to express interest in Premier League clubs, highlighting the continued appeal of English football to global investors. If the deal proceeds, it would provide Liverpool with additional financial resources to invest in the squad and infrastructure, while Bhatia would gain a foothold in one of the world’s most iconic football clubs.

The negotiations come amid ongoing speculation about the future of ownership at several top Premier League clubs. While FSG has maintained its commitment to Liverpool, the potential sale of a minority stake to Bhatia’s consortium suggests a willingness to explore strategic partnerships to secure the club’s long-term success. As discussions continue, Liverpool fans will be watching closely to see how any deal could impact the club’s future direction. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Bhatia’s consortium can finalize a deal that benefits both the investor and the club.