Bezos-backed 1892 Holdings buys almost 40% of Liverpool from FSG

A consortium that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos agreed on Friday to buy almost 40% of Liverpool from owners Fenway Sports Group, FSG said.

Initial coverage suggested 1892 Holdings had acquired about a third of the club, but — as first reported by The Athletic — the holding is approximately 38%. In a statement on Friday, FSG said it had entered into a "definitive agreement" for the sale of a "strategic minority investment" to 1892 Holdings.

The investor group is named after Liverpool's founding year. The consortium is led by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia. Members of 1892 Holdings include Jeff Bezos and billionaire Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

Amit Bhatia is due to take on an executive role at the club. He is the son-in-law of Indian billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal. Bhatia had been a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years and relinquished his stake in the club last month.

The transaction is understood to value Liverpool between £5bn and £6bn.

Bhatia will become Liverpool's vice-chairman and join an expanded board, subject to regulatory approval. The agreement also gives the consortium an option to acquire a controlling stake in Liverpool within the next 12 months, though that option does not involve a formal commitment.