Group including Amazon founder has held talks with FSG
Bhatia and Facebook co-founder Saverin also involved
A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is close to completing a deal for a 30% stake in Liverpool after months of talks with Fenway Sports Group.
The investors are led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, who previously was a shareholder at Queens Park Rangers. Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is another member of the group who are set to pay in the region of £1.35bn for almost a third of the Premier League club. The Guardian understands the deal is effectively agreed but may take up to a month to complete.
Bezos has a personal fortune of around $257bn (£190bn), according to Forbes, making him the fourth-richest person in the world, while Saverin is reportedly worth $32bn. This will be Bezos’ first investment in football but has previously looked into bidding for NFL franchises. The 62-year-old will receive equity as part of the deal, which it is understood Deloitte has advised on.
Bezos is the executive chair of Amazon having relinquished day-to-day control when he stepped down as chief executive five years ago. Under his leadership the online retailer has looked to diversify as an entertainment provider in recent years and has bought numerous sports rights for its streaming service.
Amazon had live UK rights for 20 Premier League games each season for six seasons until the end of last year, and broadcasts the Champions League in several European countries, as well as NFL in the US.
FSG bought the Merseyside club in 2010 and have overseen an era which has included two Premier League titles. FSG previously sold 3% of the club to the US private equity firm Dynasty Equity in 2023.
It has been a summer of change at Anfield, with Andoni Iraola replacing Arne Slot as head coach, while Mohamed Salah left on a free transfer and has since joined Trabzonspor. Meanwhile Michael Edwards departed his role as chief executive officer at FSG.
FSG has been approached for comment.
