DUBAI - Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani has expressed interest in buying English football club Liverpool FC, according to media reports in the UK.
The world’s eighth richest man joins investors from Dubai, Bahrain and the US among the interested parties after current owners FSG put the club up for sale last week.
FSG is said to be willing to sell if a price of more than $5bn can be met.
Reliance Industries chairman Ambani has made an approach to Liverpool owners FSG. He came close to buying the club in 2010 when he made an offer with fellow billionaire Subrata Roy.
Ambani has an estimated net worth of $95bn and owns the Mumbai Indians cricket team. He also helped set up soccer’s Super League in India as the sport gains more interest in the country.
Last week Arabian Business reported a group from Dubai could make an offer for what is seen as one of the crown jewels of football investment.
This would be the second time that Dubai has attempted to purchase the club, with a bid in 2007 falling through. Dubai International Capital “almost signed” for a takeover of the club in 2007 for $360 million, the former DIC boss told Arabian Business.
English Premier League clubs have been a popular investment for organisations in the Middle East.
Newcastle United FC was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s giant Public Investment Fund in 2021. Manchester City FC is owned by Abu Dhabi’s City Football Group, purchased in 2008, while Qatar Sports Investments bought Paris Saint-Germain FC in 2011.
“The sale of Liverpool could reach in excess of $5 billion, with the club generating over $160 million from its sponsorship deals for the 2022-23 season alone,” said Conrad Wiacek, head of sport analysis at GlobalData.
