A consortium fronted by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia is in discussions over a strategic minority investment in Liverpool that would value the club at more than $6bn (£4.5bn).
Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) confirmed the approach on Wednesday, saying they had been informed of formal interest from an investment group led by the former Queens Park Rangers co-owner.
In a statement to BBC Sport, FSG said: “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”
The talks come as Liverpool seek to consolidate their finances and compete with state-backed and multi-club ownership models elsewhere in European football. BBC Sport understands no agreement has yet been finalised with FSG.
A deal would mirror the structure of FSG’s 2023 move to sell a minority stake in Liverpool to global sports investment firm Dynasty. FSG, which acquired Liverpool in 2010 for £300m when the club was close to administration, has seen the club’s valuation soar in the intervening years.
The Financial Times has reported that any transaction with Bhatia’s group would value Liverpool at more than $6bn, placing the six-time European champions among the most valuable football clubs in the world.
Bhatia’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
Who is Amit Bhatia?
Amit Bhatia, 46, is a London-based entrepreneur and former Wall Street investment banker who worked for Morgan Stanley before building a diverse business portfolio.
He operates companies in construction, real estate and private equity. The construction firm he founded at the age of 32 has grown into the largest independent building materials business in the UK, employing more than 5,000 people. His property group develops homes, student accommodation and office space across the country.
Bhatia spent 18 seasons as director and co-owner of QPR, but on Tuesday he unexpectedly resigned from the board and gave up his ownership stake. A stand at Loftus Road bears his surname in recognition of his role at the club.
In 2013 he was named young entrepreneur of the year, and he sits on the advisory board of the Saudi Arabian government’s cultural affairs and international relations unit.
Bhatia is also closely linked to one of the world’s wealthiest industrial dynasties. In 2004 he married Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, in a six-day ceremony in France reported to have cost more than $55m (£41m). At the time, Guinness World Records recognised it as the world’s most expensive wedding.
Lakshmi Mittal’s fortune has been estimated at more than $30bn (£22bn).
FSG’s evolving strategy at Liverpool
FSG first signalled in 2022 that it was open to new investment in Liverpool, saying it would consider both minority and full-sale options.
“FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool,” the group said at the time. “FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions, we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club.”
A full takeover did not materialise, but in 2023 FSG agreed a minority investment from Dynasty, in a deal reported to be worth between £82m and £164m. FSG said the funds would help offset bank debt linked to major infrastructure projects, including the redevelopment of Anfield’s Main Stand, the Anfield Road end and the club’s Kirkby training complex.
At the time, FSG president Mike Gordon insisted: “Our long-term commitment to Liverpool remains as strong as ever.
“[We want] to further strengthen the club’s financial position and sustain our ambitions for continued success on and off the pitch.”
Multi-club ambitions shelved
In parallel, FSG has been exploring broader expansion in European football through a multi-club model, similar to those pursued by the owners of Chelsea and Manchester City.
The group examined potential acquisitions including Spanish sides Malaga and Getafe and French club Bordeaux, but none of those moves progressed to completion. FSG is now understood to have stepped back from pursuing a multi-club network.
That shift in strategy contributed to the departure of Michael Edwards last month. The former Liverpool sporting director had been brought back by FSG specifically to lead its multi-club project.
Current sporting director Richard Hughes, appointed to oversee Liverpool’s transfer policy this summer, has a deal until 2027 but is thought to be open to a move to Saudi Arabia in the future.
Principal owner John W Henry has kept a lower profile around the club since apologising in 2021 for his involvement in the failed European Super League proposal.
Liverpool, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season and have appointed former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola for the new campaign, are seeking to maintain their competitiveness at the top end of English and European football amid escalating financial pressures and changing ownership models across the game.
