Amit Bhatia consortium seeks minority stake in Liverpool FC

Amit Bhatia consortium seeks minority stake in Liverpool FC

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is in discussions with an investment consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia regarding a strategic minority investment in Liverpool. A spokesperson for FSG confirmed the talks, stating that the group led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.

The proposed deal is currently at an early stage and no agreement has been reached. If the negotiations progress, the investment is expected to mirror a previous partial sale conducted by FSG. In 2023, the US private equity firm Dynasty Equity acquired a minority stake in a deal valued between £82m and £164m, with some reports citing a cost of up to $200m (£149m) for approximately three per cent of the club. That transaction was used to pay down debt and fund capital expenditure for infrastructure projects, including the Kirkby training ground and redevelopments of the Anfield Road End and Main Stand.

According to the Financial Times, a deal with Bhatia's consortium would value Liverpool at more than $6bn (£4.5bn). This follows a strategy by FSG to attract external capital for growth while retaining overall control of operations. FSG, controlled by John Henry, originally purchased the club in 2010 for £300m and also owns the Boston Red Sox.

Bhatia, 46, brings a background in finance as a former investment banker at Morgan Stanley and currently serves as chairman of the construction company Breedon Group. He has extensive experience in private equity, real estate, and construction. His entry into these talks follows his recent departure from the board of Championship side Queens Park Rangers on July 21, when he transferred his shares to majority owner Ruben Gnanalingam.

During his 19-year association with QPR, Bhatia served as a director and co-owner, overseeing the club's promotion from the Championship to the Premier League in the 2010/11 season. QPR later spent four seasons alternating between the top flight and the Championship, with a final relegation in 2014/15 and a subsequent ninth-place finish in the 2020/21 season. A stand at Loftus Road is named after him.

The consortium is backed by the Mittal family. Bhatia married Vanisha Mittal Bhatia in 2004; she is the daughter of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose net worth is estimated to be more than £22bn. The Mittal family also recently expanded their sports portfolio, purchasing a majority stake in the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals in May 2026.

This interest comes as FSG shifts its strategic focus. While the group had previously considered a multi-club model—exploring the purchase of French club Bordeaux and Spanish sides Getafe and Malaga—they ultimately decided not to proceed with those deals. This pivot led to the departure of former sporting director Michael Edwards last month, who had been rehired specifically to lead the multi-club project.

The club's current sporting director, Richard Hughes, is managing the summer transfer strategy under a contract that lasts until summer 2027, though it is believed he may be open to a move to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, principal owner John Henry has remained less prominent in public since apologizing for his involvement in the 2021 European Super League project.

FSG had previously signaled openness to new investment in 2022, stating they would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of the club under the right terms. While a full sale never occurred, the interest from Bhatia's group follows the precedent set by the passive investment from Dynasty Equity.