A consortium led by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in acquiring a minority stake in Liverpool Football Club. The potential investment could value the club at more than $6bn.
Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the current owners of Liverpool, confirmed the interest, stating, "An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club." While discussions are underway, a deal has not yet been finalised with FSG.
Bhatia, who was a director and co-owner at Queens Park Rangers for 18 seasons, recently stepped down from the board and relinquished his ownership of the club. His consortium is reportedly backed by the Mittal family, to whom Bhatia is married. The Mittal family’s sporting portfolio includes the Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League franchise.
Potential Valuation and Previous Investments
According to reports, if the investment proceeds, it could value Liverpool at over $6bn (approximately £4.5bn). This valuation would represent one of the highest transaction values in the history of the sport. FSG acquired Liverpool in 2010 for £300m, at a time when the club faced potential administration.
This potential deal follows a similar structure to a previous investment in 2023, when FSG sold a minority stake in the Reds to Dynasty Equity, a global sports investment firm. That agreement was valued at between £82m and £164m. FSG hailed the Dynasty deal as instrumental in offsetting bank debt incurred from significant infrastructure projects, including the redevelopments of the Main Stand, the Anfield Road end, and the club’s Kirkby training ground.
FSG had initially indicated in 2022 that they were open to new investment in Liverpool, either from minority shareholders or through a potential full sale. At the time, they stated that they frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders and would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of the club, under the right terms and conditions.
Amit Bhatia’s Background
Amit Bhatia is a former investment banker who previously worked for Morgan Stanley on Wall Street before transitioning into entrepreneurship. He operates businesses across various sectors, including construction, real estate, and private equity. The construction company he founded at the age of 32 has grown to become the largest independent building materials business in the UK, employing over 5,000 people. His real estate firm is involved in building homes, student housing, and offices throughout the country.
Bhatia, a Londoner, was awarded the young entrepreneur of the year award in 2013. He also serves on the advisory board of the Saudi Arabian government’s cultural affairs and international relations unit. His surname is also borne by a stand at Loftus Road, the home ground of QPR.
He married Vanisha Mittal Bhatia in 2004 in a six-day ceremony in France, which reportedly cost more than $55m (£41m). At the time, this event was recognised by Guinness World Records as the most expensive of its kind. Vanisha is the daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose net worth has been estimated at more than $30bn (£22bn).
FSG’s Strategic Shifts
While a full sale of Liverpool did not materialise following their 2022 announcement, FSG has explored other strategic avenues. The group had previously considered purchasing a second club in continental Europe to expand its portfolio, following the multi-club model adopted by owners of clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City.
FSG examined potential acquisitions including Spanish sides Malaga and Getafe, as well as French club Bordeaux. However, they did not proceed with any of these deals and are now understood to have moved away from the multi-club model. This decision reportedly led to the departure of Michael Edwards last month, who had been rehired by FSG to lead the multi-club project.
Richard Hughes is currently managing Liverpool’s transfer strategy for the summer, with his contract extending until summer 2027. However, he is believed to be open to a move to Saudi Arabia in the near future. Liverpool’s principal owner, John W Henry, has maintained a lower public profile regarding club matters since acknowledging and apologising for his role in the European Super League project in 2021.
The Fenway Sports Group era has seen Liverpool achieve significant success, including winning the Premier League twice and securing a sixth Champions League title. The club will be managed by Andoni Iraola this season, following the departure of Arne Slot in the summer.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
As News-GB.org's Sports Reporter, Eleanor Vance reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name on long-form athlete profiles. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Bath and completed an NCTJ diploma. Eleanor lives in Bath, where she swims competitively and follows British athletics. “A profile is only as good as the questions behind it.”