Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have confirmed they have entered talks over a possible sale of a minority stake in Liverpool Football Club. The discussions involve a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, the former co-owner of Championship side Queens Park Rangers, which is also backed by the Mittal family. Their net worth is reported to be over £26 billion.
Early-stage discussions
Despite the talks, there is no agreement in place yet, and discussions are at an early stage. It has, however, been confirmed that Bhatia has left his role at QPR, hinting that he is preparing for involvement with Liverpool. Bhatia is a British-Indian businessman and the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, who heads ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel and mining company.
FSG have acknowledged that discussions are ongoing over what has been characterised as a "significant minority stake". As reported by the Liverpool ECHO, the negotiations are being treated as comparable to the arrangement with Dynasty Equity in 2023, which was valued between £82m and £164m.
FSG statement
An FSG statement provided to the ECHO said: "An investment consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club."
Bhatia has refused to comment on the developments but made public the decision to depart from QPR on Tuesday, having joined at Loftus Road nearly 20 years ago. Bhatia said: "Since joining the club in 2007, QPR has been a deeply important part of my life, and of my family's life. Over nearly two decades we have shared promotions, relegations, unforgettable highs and painful lows, and the memories we have made at Loftus Road alongside the supporters will stay with us forever."
"Being part of QPR has shaped me in many ways. It has taught me about resilience, responsibility and the importance of stewardship. I am especially proud of the work of QPR in the Community Trust, which reflects the best of the club and the extraordinary role it plays in the local community."
"I step back from my formal responsibilities with pride, gratitude and affection. I want to thank the players, managers, staff, the Community Trust, my fellow board members and, above all, the fans, who have made me and my family feel part of the QPR family for so many years."
"I am grateful to my dear friend Ruben and his family for their friendship and partnership, as I am to Richard, Lee, Christian and everyone continuing to work on behalf of the club. QPR will always have a very special place in my heart."
Liverpool's valuation and recent history
FSG acquired Liverpool for £300m in October 2010. More than 15 years on, the 20-time league champions are now valued at £5.2 billion according to the respected American financial publication Forbes. Earlier this year, the club recorded revenues exceeding £700m for the first time in their history.
In 2024, Fenway started examining possibilities to establish a multi-club ownership model, but have since put those proposals on hold, resulting in the departure of Michael Edwards, Liverpool's former sporting director who had been appointed as FSG's CEO of football two years previously.
