The bondholders, which include asset manager BlackRock and private equity firm Carlyle, appointed investment bank Lazard Frères SAS to advise on the sale that kicked off in March.

Alastair Beveridge and Daniel Imison of AlixPartners UK LLP, who act as an intermediary for the bondholders, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

SMCP and two advisors did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Kane Wu; Editing by Sharon Singleton)

By Kane Wu