Liverpool's ownership has been a stable situation for a very long time, but that could be about to change.
As first reported by the Financial Times, a consortium has expressed an interest in buying a minority stake in Liverpool. This group is led by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia, who is 46 years old.
Bhatia's father-in-law is Lakshmi Mittal, the billionaire co-owner of Queens Park Rangers. Thus, he had been on the board at QPR for 19 years, but has stepped down and relinquished his ownership in the EFL Championship club, thereby opening up the possibility that he be involved in Liverpool.
Well, this is not just rumours and speculation. Speaking to the FT, Fenway Sports Group released this statement on Tuesday:
"An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club."Fenway Sports Group
According to the Financial Times, Liverpool as a whole are valued at around $6 billion, or £4.5 billion. Well, this would not be the first time FSG have diluted their ownership in the club. Back in 2023, global sports investment firm Dynasty purchased around 3% of the club for £150 million, which is likely to be the benchmark in any potential deal with Bhatia.
At the time, FSG President Mike Gordon reiterated that "our long-term commitment to Liverpool remains as strong as ever", with this cash injection used to help pay for the Anfield Road and Main Stand redevelopment, as well as the expansion of AXA Training Centre in 2020.
What Liverpool fans need to know about Amit Bhatia
As already mentioned, Bhatia ended his near two-decade long association with QPR on Tuesday, expressing his "pride, gratitude and affection" to everyone he has worked alongside in West London since 2007. This should certainly encourage Liverpool fans, proving that he has plenty of expirence in football, unlike countless other businessment who buy into clubs.
Away from Loftus Road, he has plenty of other business interests. As documented by the Athletic, Bhatia is "chairman of British construction firm Breedon Group, managing director of AyBe Capital Advisors and a founding partner of property investment firm Summix Capital". Meantime, he is the son-in-law of the 73rd richest man on the planet, Mittal, who is co-owner at QPR.
In 2013, he was awarded the young entrepreneur of the year title in London, and currently sits on the Saudi Arabian government's cultural affairs' advisory board. In short, he is a busy man.
FSG's successful ownership of Liverpool
Whatever happens, Liverpool fans will always hold Fenway Sports Group in high regard. When John W Henry and his consortium bought Liverpool from Hicks and Gillett in 2010, they did so amid a backdrop of widespread protest against the now former American owners, with the team at an historically low ebb.
In the decade and a half since, the Reds have won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and countless other trophies. Of course, most of the credit goes to Jürgen Klopp, Arne Slot the players and recruitment staff, but FSG have overseen it all, putting in place the platform for success.
So, will Bhatia's potential minority investment change that? Well, not initially. He would only be buying such a small percentage that he would not have any say in how the club is run, it would though be interesting to know if his long-term goal is to take over from Henry and Werner one day.
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