A consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in acquiring a minority stake in Liverpool Football Club. The club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), have confirmed these discussions.
FSG stated that an investment consortium, led and represented by Bhatia, has shown interest in making a strategic minority investment in the club. It is understood that a final deal has not yet been reached with FSG.
Details of the Potential Investment
If the investment proceeds, its structure would be similar to a deal made in 2023 when FSG sold a minority stake in Liverpool to the global sports investment firm Dynasty.
The 2023 investment by Dynasty, a US private equity firm, was for a small stake, with the funds used to reduce debt and help finance capital expenditure. This included redevelopments of the Main Stand, the Anfield Road end, and the club’s Kirkby training ground.
According to the Financial Times, a potential deal with the consortium led by Bhatia could value Liverpool at more than $6bn (£4.5bn). FSG acquired Liverpool in 2010, at a time when the club faced the prospect of administration.
Who is Amit Bhatia?
Amit Bhatia is a former investment banker who previously worked for Morgan Stanley on Wall Street before transitioning into entrepreneurship. His business interests span construction, real estate, and private equity.
He founded a construction company that has grown to become the largest independent building materials business in the UK, employing over 5,000 individuals. His real estate firm is involved in building homes, student accommodation, and offices across the country.
Bhatia, a Londoner, was awarded young entrepreneur of the year in 2013. He also serves on the advisory board for the Saudi Arabian government’s cultural affairs and international relations unit. He was a director and co-owner at QPR for 18 seasons, stepping down from the board and relinquishing ownership of the club on Tuesday.
He is married to Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. A stand at Loftus Road, QPR‘s home ground, bears Bhatia’s surname.
FSG’s Ownership Strategy
FSG indicated in 2022 that it was open to new investment in Liverpool, either through minority shareholders or a complete sale. The group stated that it would consider new shareholders if it aligned with the best interests of the club, under appropriate terms and conditions.
While a full sale did not occur, the agreement with Dynasty in 2023 was intended to strengthen the club’s financial position and support its ambitions for continued success. Liverpool principal owner John W Henry has maintained a lower public profile regarding club matters since his apology for his role in the European Super League project in 2021.
FSG had also explored the possibility of acquiring a second club in continental Europe to expand its portfolio, following a multi-club model seen with other teams like Chelsea and Manchester City. However, after reviewing potential purchases in Spain and France, FSG did not proceed with these deals and is now understood to have moved away from this model.
This shift in strategy led to the departure of Michael Edwards last month, who had been rehired by FSG to lead the multi-club project. Current sporting director Richard Hughes is managing the club’s transfer strategy this summer, with his contract extending until summer 2027.
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Source: bbc.com
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”