A consortium featuring Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is reportedly closing in on a deal to acquire a major minority stake in Liverpool Football Club, potentially marking a significant change in the ownership structure at Anfield.
Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
Reports emerging on Monday indicate that discussions have progressed significantly, with an announcement from FSG potentially expected this week.
The proposed deal is understood to involve approximately one-third of the Premier League club.
Earlier reports suggested that a 30 per cent stake was being discussed for around £1.35 billion, placing Liverpool's overall valuation at roughly £4.5 billion.
Bezos' involvement would be particularly notable given his extraordinary wealth and global business profile.
The Amazon founder was first linked with the consortium after being approached to participate in the investment.
At the time, his involvement was not considered certain, but the latest reports indicate that he is now part of the group nearing an agreement with FSG.
Saverin, meanwhile, is also understood to be part of the consortium. The Brazilian-born billionaire was one of the co-founders of Facebook and has since built a substantial investment portfolio.
His reported involvement adds another major technology entrepreneur to a group already backed by significant financial resources.
Bhatia is understood to be leading the consortium. The businessman previously had a stake in Queens Park Rangers and is backed by the Mittal family, whose patriarch, Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, has extensive interests in global business and sport.
For FSG, the proposed transaction would not represent a complete sale of Liverpool.
Instead, the American ownership group would retain control while bringing in new investors and significant additional capital.
FSG has previously followed a similar strategy, selling minority interests while maintaining control of the club.
The potential investment could nevertheless have major implications for Liverpool's future.
A stake of around 30 per cent would make the new investors significant shareholders and could give them an important voice in discussions about the club's commercial direction, long-term growth and financial strategy.
The latest development has generated considerable reaction among Liverpool supporters, many of whom are watching closely to see what the investment could mean for the club.
The involvement of Bezos has particularly attracted attention because of his enormous financial capacity and his growing interest in professional sport.
However, the proposed transaction should not be confused with a full takeover. FSG would remain the controlling owner if the reported minority investment goes through.
The deal would instead represent another major step in the evolution of Liverpool's ownership structure.
FSG purchased Liverpool in 2010 for around £300 million and has overseen a period in which the club has won major domestic and European honours while also experiencing substantial growth in its commercial value.
With negotiations reportedly now at an advanced stage, attention has turned to FSG for official confirmation.
