Liverpool investment bid gathers pace as Bezos-linked consortium targets Anfield

A consortium involving Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has made progress in talks to buy a stake of about 30% in Liverpool, BBC Sport understands.

The group is led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and also includes Eduardo Saverin, the co-founder of Facebook.

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), confirmed last month that the consortium had “expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club”.

FSG has not provided any further comment on the latest developments after being contacted by BBC Sport.

Bhatia is the son-in-law of Indian billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal. He spent 18 years as a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers before giving up his stake in the club last month.

Bezos, the founder of the online retail giant Amazon, is the fourth-richest person in the world. Forbes estimates the 62-year-old’s wealth at $256bn (£192bn).

FSG bought Liverpool in 2010 in a deal worth £300m. The American ownership group has previously sold a minority stake in the Anfield club to global sports investment firm Dynasty Equity.

The potential deal involving the Bezos-linked consortium would therefore represent another minority investment rather than a full takeover of Liverpool.

Liverpool’s financial position has strengthened in recent years. In January, the club became the highest-revenue side in the Premier League for the first time, according to an analysis by financial services company Deloitte.

The following month, Liverpool reported record revenue of £703m for the 2024-25 financial year.

Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s chief executive in 2021 and became executive chairman of the company’s board. He continues to own 8% of Amazon.

The American businessman also owns The Washington Post and aerospace company Blue Origin. He was ranked the world’s richest person in 2021.

Bezos has previously been linked with potential investments in major American sports franchises. In 2023, his name was associated with a possible purchase of the Washington Commanders of the National Football League after the team was put up for sale by its owner, Daniel Snyder.

He had also explored the possibility of buying the Seattle Seahawks, who have won the Super Bowl.

Bezos ultimately decided not to submit an offer for either franchise. His reported interest in Liverpool now appears to represent a possible move into club sports ownership through a minority investment in one of the biggest and most commercially successful teams in English football.