Consortium advances talks for stake in Liverpool

A consortium including billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has advanced its talks to buy about a 30% stake in Liverpool, BBC Sport has been told.

The group is led by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia and also includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

Owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) confirmed last month that the group had "expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club".

Bhatia is the son-in-law of Indian billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal and had been a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years before relinquishing his stake in the club last month.

American businessman Bezos, founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, is the fourth-richest person in the world.

According to Forbes, the 62-year-old has an estimated net worth of $256bn (£192bn).

FSG, who bought Liverpool in a £300m deal in 2010, previously sold a minority stake in the Anfield side to global sports investment firm Dynasty Equity.

Bezos stepped down as Amazon's chief executive in 2021 to become executive chairman, although he still owns 8% of the company.

The businessman also owns The Washington Post and aerospace company Blue Origin and was ranked as the world's richest person in 2021.

In 2023, the billionaire was linked with a takeover of NFL franchise the Washington Commanders after owner Daniel Snyder put the team up for sale.

He has also previously explored the possibility of buying Super Bowl winners the Seattle Seahawks.

Bezos ultimately decided against submitting an offer for either franchise but now looks set to enter the sporting arena with Liverpool.