A consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia has agreed to buy a third of Liverpool. Bhatia will become the club's vice-chairman and join an expanded board pending regulatory approval. The deal values the club between £5bn and £6bn.
FSG says the deal supports Liverpool'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 retains majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool.
The investment is a significant boost for Liverpool, which has seen a huge increase in value over the past 16 years. FSG bought the club for £300m in 2010 and have since facilitated intra-group loans of about £218m. The proposed sale of 30% would mean FSG receive in excess of £1.5bn, five times what it was worth in 2010.
Billionaire investors, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, have been linked with potential investments in several sports teams in recent years. The consortium's investment is expected to have no impact on the club's approach to the transfer window, and there is no new or separate transfer budget associated with the investment.
Liverpool fans have raised concerns about the proposed investment, with some questioning whether the consortium has the best interests of the club at heart. The club's values, centred around working-class roots, have been a key part of its identity. FSG has stated that the deal will not affect the club's approach to the transfer window, and that there is no new or separate transfer budget associated with the investment.
The next step is for the consortium to work with FSG and the club's leadership team to evaluate opportunities that enhance the club's objectives on and off the pitch.