Liverpool Football Club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are in advanced talks to sell a minority stake in the club to a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, former co-owner of Queens Park Rangers (QPR), and supported by Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian steel magnate. The proposed transaction would involve the sale of approximately 30% of the club, with an offer reportedly in the region of £1.35 billion, valuing Liverpool at about £4.5 billion.

FSG, a Boston-based entity led by John W. Henry, acquired Liverpool for £300 million in 2010 and is now positioned to realize a significant return on its investment. The consortium headed by Bhatia has formally expressed interest, according to a statement from Fenway Sports Group. Industry insiders have noted that while the £4.5 billion valuation may seem high, it aligns with recent transactions involving other major Premier League clubs.

Comparable recent investments in English football provide context for Liverpool’s valuation. Chelsea was acquired in 2022 by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for £4.25 billion, including £2.5 billion paid for the shares from Roman Abramovich and an additional £1.75 billion committed for future club investments. Similarly, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25% stake in Manchester United earlier this year valued that club at approximately £4.3 billion.

The discussions between FSG and the consortium reportedly have been ongoing over the past three months. The Mittal family involved in the potential deal has an estimated net worth of £23 billion, indicating the group’s substantial financial capacity to complete the transaction.

In a sign of Bhatia’s commitment to the prospective acquisition, he resigned as a director of QPR after 19 years with the club. Bhatia has held several leadership roles at QPR since first investing in 2007 and described his departure as a moment of pride and gratitude, emphasizing the personal significance of his time with the club.

The negotiation marks a notable development in the business landscape of Premier League football, reflecting continued investor interest in some of the world’s most valuable sports assets. Fenway Sports Group has yet to finalize terms, and no agreement has been formally announced as discussions continue.