A consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin has purchased approximately 38% of Liverpool Football Club from Fenway Sports Group, with an option to acquire controlling interest within the next year.

Fenway Sports Group confirmed on Friday that it has agreed to sell a substantial minority stake in Liverpool Football Club to 1892 Holdings, a newly formed investment group named after the club's founding year. The acquisition gives the consortium close to 38% ownership, a figure that exceeds initial reports suggesting a one-third stake.

The investment group is headed by Amit Bhatia, a British-Indian businessman and son-in-law of Indian industrialist Lakshmi Mittal. Bhatia will assume the position of vice-chairman at Liverpool pending regulatory clearance and will join an expanded board. The consortium also counts Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Eduardo Saverin, a co-founder of Facebook, among its members. Bhatia recently stepped down from his 18-year tenure as director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers.

According to reports, the transaction values Liverpool at between £5 billion and £6 billion. The agreement includes an option for 1892 Holdings to acquire a controlling stake in the club within the next 12 months, though this option does not constitute a binding commitment from either party. Fenway Sports Group characterized the transaction as a "definitive agreement" for a "strategic minority investment," suggesting the American ownership group's continued involvement in the club's operations.