Consortium led by Amit Bhatia eyes Liverpool minority stake
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), confirmed that Bhatia’s investment consortium is seeking a strategic minority investment.
Bhatia, a former investment banker, was a director and co-owner at Queens Park Rangers (QPR) for 18 seasons. He transferred his share of QPR to Ruben Gnanalingam on July 21. His consortium is backed by the Mittal family, and advisors have been engaged to work on a potential deal with FSG.
Sources indicate that if this investment proceeds, its structure would likely be similar to a deal FSG made in 2023. In that instance, FSG sold a minority stake in Liverpool to the global sports investment firm Dynasty. That agreement was valued between £82m and £164m, and was intended to help offset bank debt from infrastructure projects, including redevelopments of the Main Stand, Anfield Road end, and the club’s Kirkby training ground.
Bhatia’s background and business ventures
Amit Bhatia, worked for Morgan Stanley on Wall Street as an investment banker before transitioning into entrepreneurship. He has established businesses in construction, real estate, and private equity.
The construction company he founded has grown to become the largest independent building materials business in the UK, employing over 5,000 individuals. His real estate firm focuses on developing homes, student housing, and offices across the country.
Bhatia, a Londoner, received the young entrepreneur of the year award in 2013. He also serves on the advisory board for the Saudi Arabian government’s cultural affairs and international relations unit. A stand at Loftus Road, QPR’s home ground, bears his surname.
He is married to Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose net worth is estimated to be more than £22bn. The Mittal family also acquired a majority stake in the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals.
Liverpool’s ownership strategy
FSG acquired Liverpool in 2010 for £300m when the club was reportedly near administration. In 2022, FSG indicated its openness to new investment in Liverpool, considering either minority shareholders or a full sale, if it was in the club’s best interests.
While a full sale did not occur, the 2023 agreement with Dynasty Equity involved the sale of a small stake for £164m. This investment was used to reduce debt and support capital expenditure.
According to the Financial Times, a deal with the consortium led by Bhatia could value Liverpool at more than $6bn (£4.5bn).
FSG had previously explored the possibility of purchasing a second club in continental Europe to expand its portfolio, following a multi-club model. This approach would have mirrored strategies used by owners of clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City.
However, after examining potential acquisitions, including Spanish sides Malaga and Getafe, and French club Bordeaux, FSG did not proceed with any of these deals and is now understood to have moved away from this model. This decision led to the departure of Michael Edwards, 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 and has a contract lasting until summer 2027.
John W Henry, Liverpool’s principal owner, has maintained a lower public profile regarding club matters since acknowledging his role in the European Super League project in 2021.
The talks between FSG and the consortium led by Amit Bhatia are ongoing, with no finalisation of a deal yet.
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Source: bbc.com
