VNU, the Dutch media group, is expected to receive a firm bid of about €7.2bn ($8.6bn) from a consortium of private equity groups as early as today.

The Wall Street Journal reports that after performing extensive due diligence, the consortium, comprising AlpInvest Partners, Permira, The Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group, Hellman & Friedman, Thomas H Lee Partners and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, has decided to offer €28.50 per share.