Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ consortium has two options to increase its stake to take control of Liverpool, according to reports.
Bezos’ K5 Global sports fund is the largest investor in 1892 Holdings, who bought a 38 per cent stake in the club from Fenway Sports Group (FSG) in August.
The Amazon mogul is said to be worth in the region of $384billion and is the second richest person in the world.
1892 Holdings is led by Amit Bhatia, who was an owner and director of QPR for 19 years.
The Athletic report that it can increase its stake in Liverpool once it has been ratified as a part-owner by the Independent Football Regulator (IFR).
The report adds it can increase to around 69 per cent, or potentially even complete a 100 per cent buyout, as part of the agreement.
The group could end up with full control of Liverpool in as little as 12 months.
1892 Holdings’ initial investment in Liverpool is worth more than £2billion.
Will FSG leave Liverpool?
All indications are that FSG will cede full control of the club, which may lead to a full exit in due course.
FSG, then New England Sports Ventures, bought Liverpool from the much maligned American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for £300m in 2010.
Since then, the Anfield club has been restored to one of the powerhouses in English football.
They won the Champions League, the sixth European crown in their history, and have twice been Premier League champions.
FSG also has stakes in the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins and RFK Racing.
It also is said to be considering investment in the Cadillac Formula One team.
Bhatia on Liverpool
Speaking when Bhatia’s 1892 Holdings joined the ownership group of Liverpool, he said: “It feels incredible. It feels surreal when I hear those words, obviously an incredibly proud moment for myself, for my family, for our partners.
“We’re talking about Liverpool Football Club here, right? I mean, we’re talking about the greatest football club in the world. And so to have the ability to be involved in any capacity is a huge privilege and a huge honour.
“I’m just the biggest admirer of everything that is associated with this football club, whether it’s the history and the culture, the supporters, the journey of this club, the owners in FSG, the management team at Liverpool.
“There’s just so much to admire, so much to frankly be in awe of.
“And so to have the opportunity at this point in time, to hopefully potentially – I want to just be very clear, subject to all kinds of regulatory approvals that we’re going through the process [of] now – but the simple fact that we’ve been potentially welcomed in by FSG to be part of such an incredible football club, a historic football club, an iconic football club like Liverpool, frankly it’s the stuff of dreams. And it is the greatest honour I think that anybody can have.”
