Jeff Bezos in talks to join consortium pursuing Liverpool minority stake

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has held talks about joining a consortium fronted by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia that is seeking to buy a minority stake in Liverpool, according to reports.

The move, if completed, would see one of the world’s richest men linked to a deal that could value the 20-time English champions at more than $6bn (£4.7bn), significantly above previous estimates for the club.

Sky News reported that Bezos has discussed becoming part of Bhatia’s group but stressed that the US billionaire has not yet committed to proceeding with the plan.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s American owners, confirmed on Tuesday that they had been approached by the Bhatia-led consortium over a potential minority investment.

Bezos circles Liverpool after past sports moves stall

Bezos, 62, has long been linked with high-profile sports investments but has yet to complete a major team acquisition.

The Amazon founder, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at around £192bn, has previously explored bids for two NFL franchises – the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders – but ultimately chose not to follow through on either opportunity.

His possible involvement at Liverpool would come as part of a wider investment group rather than as a sole owner, reflecting FSG’s stated preference to retain control while raising capital through minority share sales.

Bhatia steps away from QPR as Liverpool interest emerges

Bhatia’s interest in Liverpool surfaced on the same day he formally ended his long-running role at Queens Park Rangers (QPR).

The 46-year-old stepped down from the board of the Championship club, bringing an 18-year association to a close by transferring his stake to majority owner Ruben Gnanalingam.

In a statement marking his departure from QPR, Bhatia said:

“I step back from my formal responsibilities with pride, gratitude and affection. I want to thank the players, managers, staff, the community trust, my fellow board members and, above all, the fans, who have made me and my family feel part of the QPR family for so many years,” Bhatia said.

Bhatia is the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, the billionaire steel magnate, and has been a prominent figure at QPR during a turbulent period that has seen the London club move between the Premier League and the Championship.

Liverpool’s rising valuation under FSG

FSG, which also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, purchased Liverpool in 2010 for about £300m. Under its ownership, the club has undergone a significant transformation on and off the pitch, including winning the Premier League and Champions League under manager Jurgen Klopp and expanding Anfield.

In 2023, FSG sold a minority stake in Liverpool to US investment firm Dynasty in a deal that allowed the group to retain overall control while bringing in fresh funds.

Any new transaction with the consortium led by Bhatia is expected to follow a similar model, with FSG remaining the majority owner and strategic decision-maker.

According to the Financial Times, discussions with Bhatia’s group are based on a valuation of more than $6bn for Liverpool, underscoring the surge in Premier League club values and the global commercial appeal of the Anfield side.

No guarantee of Bezos deal

While Bezos’ name adds considerable profile to the talks, there is no certainty he will proceed. Sky News reported that his involvement remains at the exploratory stage, and no formal agreement has been reached.

For Liverpool, however, the interest from a Bezos-linked consortium highlights the club’s continued attractiveness to some of the world’s wealthiest investors, even as FSG has repeatedly signalled it is seeking partners rather than a full sale.