Greenhill has emerged as an adviser to drinks can producer Ball Corp on a £4.3 billion takeover bid for UK packager Rexam, days after the advisory boutique’s chief executive said to “stay tuned” for more US companies pursuing deals abroad on the back of the dollar's strength.

Rexam revealed yesterday in a statement that it was discussing a possible cash and share sale to its US rival, which would be worth about 610 pence a share for Rexam, and Ball later confirmed the talks.