Liverpool have been in talks with a wealthy consortium that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for a number of weeks over a minority stake in the Premier League club

Jeff Bezos is part of the consortium(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty Images)

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have agreed to sell a 30 per cent stake in the Premier League club to a consortium including Jeff Bezos, led by former Queens Park Rangers director Amit Bhatia. The deal is understood to be worth £1.4billion.

While Amazon founder Bezos won’t have a seat on the board, Bhatia has been given the new title of vice-chairman at Liverpool. Bezos, the third-richest man in the world with an estimated net worth of £204bn, will instead be represented by Bryan Baum, the managing partner of K5 Global which has helped fund the consortium named 1892 Holdings.

The club confirmed: “Fenway Sports Group (FSG), a global sports, media, entertainment, and real estate company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of a minority equity stake in Liverpool F.C. to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led and managed by Amit Bhatia, with investments from Amit Bhatia and the Mittal Family Trusts, K5 Sports (a K5 Global Fund), with Jeff Bezos as the lead investor in the K5 Sports fund, and EE Capital, the family office of Elaine and Eduardo Saverin.

“The strategic investment supports Liverpool F.C.’s long-term growth ambitions by bringing together experts from across global business, technology, and investment. The consortium partners will work with FSG and the club’s leadership team to evaluate opportunities that enhance the club’s objectives on and off the pitch. FSG continues to retain majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool F.C.”

FSG President Mike Gordon commented: “Liverpool has always been built by thinking beyond one season and making decisions with the club’s long-term interests in mind. That approach continues to attract interest from respected investors and business leaders around the world.

“As we considered this opportunity, it became clear that Amit and the consortium shared our long-term philosophy and appreciation for what makes Liverpool special. Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place, and we look forward to working together.”

Amit Bhatia is Liverpool’s new vice-chairman(Image: Andrew Fosker/REX/Shutterstock)

In addition to Bezos and Bhatia, the wife of Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, Elaine, will also join the expanded Liverpool board. The Saverin family are in the consortium as part of EE Capital.

Bhatia said: “We are incredibly proud to be investing in Liverpool Football Club and to be doing so alongside FSG. We have the utmost respect and admiration for FSG as owners and for everything they have achieved at Anfield.