Jeff Bezos consortium nears deal to buy stake in Liverpool FC: Reports

A consortium ‌that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is close ⁠to a deal to acquire a stake of about one-third in Premier League club Liverpool, multiple media ⁠outlets have reported.

The investor group also includes Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin, the reports said on Monday.

Sky News reported ⁠that the consortium is being led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and a former shareholder in English second-tier club Queens Park Rangers, and that Liverpool ‌owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) could announce a deal as early as this week.

The investment would reportedly value the club at approximately 4.4 billion pounds ($5.9bn), making it one of the largest valuations ever achieved in a football club deal.

FSG, which acquired Liverpool in 2010, has explored ⁠outside investment in recent years while ⁠retaining control of the club.

A deal at the reported valuation would underline the substantial increase in Liverpool’s worth during FSG’s 16-year ownership.

Neither ⁠Liverpool nor FSG immediately commented on the reports.

Bezos, 62, is one of the world’s richest men, with a fortune estimated by Forbes magazine at more than $280bn, while Saverin’s wealth is put at $33bn.