Axel Springer is reportedly close to an agreement with KKR to part ways

The two sides are expected to discuss the proposed structure of a deal that would give KKR majority control of the company’s lucrative classifieds business at a meeting of its supervisory board on Thursday, the FT reported, citing four unidentified people familiar with the matter. .

The deal values ​​the entire company at 13.5 billion euros ($15 billion), including more than 10 billion euros for the classifieds business, the FT said. It has already been discussed several times at previous board meetings, two of the people told the FT.

A deal would allow Döpfner, who has served as CEO since 2002, to consolidate his control over the company’s media outlets, the FT said. These include the US news sites Politico and Business Insider, as well as the German tabloid Bild and its sister Die Welt.

Axel Springer and KKR declined to comment to the FT.