Liverpool could soon count one of the richest people in the world among their shareholders after a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos moved closer to purchasing a significant minority stake in the club.

The group, led by businessman and former QPR chairman Amit Bhatia, is reportedly close to acquiring around 30 per cent of Liverpool from Fenway Sports Group.

Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is also involved in the consortium, with the proposed investment valuing Liverpool at approximately £4.4bn.

FSG would remain in control of the club.

This is an important detail which Liverpool supporters will presumably take into consideration once they have finished looking at Jeff Bezos’ net worth.

The Amazon founder is estimated to possess a personal fortune of more than $280bn, placing him among the wealthiest people in the world and comfortably above the amount normally required to participate in a Premier League transfer window.

His potential arrival has therefore introduced a new figure into Liverpool’s summer calculations.

The consortium’s investment would not simply place Bezos’ personal fortune into Liverpool’s transfer budget, nor would becoming a minority shareholder mean he could begin purchasing footballers on the club’s behalf.

Nevertheless, a man worth $280bn may soon own part of Liverpool.

The distinction is likely to require some time to settle in.

FSG have controlled Liverpool since purchasing the club for £300m in 2010 and have previously brought in outside investment while retaining overall control.

The latest deal would be considerably larger, with the proposed valuation demonstrating how dramatically Liverpool’s value has increased during their ownership.

For the club, it represents a potentially significant new investment.

For supporters examining possible transfers, Liverpool may shortly have a shareholder whose net worth requires a different number of zeros.

These are technically separate things.

The transfer window remains open.