Liverpool could soon be backed by one of the world's wealthiest families, with a consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia in talks to buy a minority stake in the club. The deal, which sources value at around £1.35bn for a 30% share, would value Liverpool at approximately £4.5bn—a remarkable return for owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who bought the club for just £300m in 2010.
At its simplest, a minority stake means the buyers would own less than 50% of the club, giving them influence but not full control. In this case, Bhatia's consortium, backed by his father-in-law Lakshmi Mittal—the Indian steel magnate with a net worth estimated at over £22bn—would take a significant minority interest. FSG confirmed in a statement that it is in negotiations, and Bhatia resigned as a director of Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday after 19 years to pursue the deal. The structure is similar to a minority sale FSG made in 2023 to global sports investment firm Dynasty Equity, which was valued at between £82m and £164m.
“Liverpool may sell a minority stake to Amit Bhatia's consortium, backed by the Mittal family, in a deal worth £1.35bn for 30%.”
FSG originally signalled its openness to new investment in 2022, saying it would consider shareholders under the right terms. The full sale that was speculated then never materialised, but minority stakes have become a common way for clubs to raise capital without giving up control. Other recent examples include Chelsea's £4.25bn sale to Todd Boehly's group in 2022 and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of 25% of Manchester United in 2024, which valued United at £4.3bn. Liverpool's valuation would be in line with these.
For UK readers, this matters because it could affect how the club is run. Bhatia brings experience from his 18-year tenure at QPR, as well as a construction and real estate empire that employs over 5,000 people in the UK. While FSG would still have the final say on major decisions, the Mittal family's deep pockets could fund new signings, stadium upgrades, or infrastructure projects—benefiting fans and the local economy. However, some supporters worry about the growing influence of wealthy individuals in football, as seen with the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United. The deal also reinforces the trend of Premier League clubs becoming global assets, with valuations driven by broadcasting rights and commercial appeal.
Q: What is a minority stake in a football club? A minority stake means an investor buys less than 50% of the shares, so they do not gain control of the club. They typically get a seat on the board and a say in strategy, but the majority owner (here, FSG) retains decision-making power. It's a way for clubs to raise money without being sold outright.
Q: Who is Amit Bhatia? Amit Bhatia is a 46-year-old British-Indian businessman and former investment banker. He founded a construction company that became the UK's largest independent building materials business, with over 5,000 employees. He was co-owner of QPR for 18 years until he stepped down in July 2026. He is married to Vanisha Mittal, daughter of steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, whose family fortune is estimated at over £26bn by Forbes.
Q: How much is Liverpool worth? According to the Financial Times, the deal would value Liverpool at more than $6bn (£4.5bn). That is based on a £1.35bn offer for a 30% stake. The valuation is similar to recent sales of Chelsea (£4.25bn) and Manchester United (£4.3bn for a 25% stake). FSG bought Liverpool for £300m in 2010.
What happens next: Negotiations are at a preliminary stage, and no deal is finalised. If it proceeds, it would likely require approval from the Premier League's owners' and directors' test. Fans will watch for any impact on transfer spending and club strategy, with Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola preparing for the upcoming season after finishing fifth in the Premier League.