Lagardere SCA's (MMB.FR) chief executive says he is prepared to
consider buying Vivendi SA's (VIV.FR) 80% stake in pay-TV company
Canal Plus France, according to an interview published on the web
site of French daily Le Monde Thursday.
"I'm ready to look at buying the 80% they have and listing it on
the stock exchange in favorable conditions," Arnaud Lagardere says
in the interview. A spokeswoman for Vivendi declined to
comment.
Lagardere SCA in February filed a lawsuit against Vivendi
regarding a battle over Lagardere's long-sought exit from Canal
Plus France. Lagardere currently holds a 20% stake in the
business.
In the Le Monde interview, Mr. Lagardere also says he wants
Vivendi to return 1.6 billion euros ($2.1 billion) of cash to Canal
Plus France.
Lagardere recently sold its 7.5% stake in European Aeronautic
Defence & Space Co. (EAD.FR).
Newspaper Web site: http://www.lemonde.fr
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