Reports are circulating that Asda could fill the void left by Baugur in the consortium bidding for control of the Somerfield group.
Media speculation suggests there is still room for a retailer within the consortium, made up of private equity group Apex, Barclays Capital and property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz, after Baugur’s withdrawal, following fraud charges being levelled at chief executive Jon Asgeir Johannesson back in Iceland.
Sources close to the consortium were reported as saying that a new partner is not necessary but refused to rule out the possibility as newspaper speculation linked Asda as a potential replacement.
The retailer is thought to have attempted to join the consortium several months ago, but was turned down.
