German chemicals giant BASF SE has advanced to the next stage in the sale of its €6bn coatings division, inviting shortlisted bidders to submit second-round offers in August, according to a report by Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter.

UK-based private equity firm Perwyn is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire a minority stake in SoftNext, the software arm of French investment group Groupe Baelen, in a transaction valuing the business at approximately €465m, according to a report by Bloomberg.

CVC Capital Partners is exploring a refinancing of its multi-league sports portfolio through the creation of a new vehicle – dubbed “SportsCo” – that could carry a valuation in excess of £9bn (€10.5bn), according to a report by the Financial Times citing a person familiar with the matter.

Alternative asset managers Apollo Global Management and Ares Management are deepening their push into the global sports ecosystem, as investor appetite for long-term exposure to professional leagues and franchises continues to accelerate, according to a report by Bloomberg.

EQT AB, Omers Administration, and Phoenix Tower International are among the frontrunners preparing final bids for Cellnex Telecom SA’s majority stake in its Swiss operations, with the deal expected to command a price in the region of €2bn ($2.3bn), according to a report by Bloomberg.

Specialist insurer CFC, backed by private equity giants EQT and Vitruvian Partners, is reportedly considering a UK initial public offering that could value the business north of £5bn ($6.7bn), according to a report by Reuters.

KKR, the US private equity powerhouse actively pursuing acquisition targets amid ongoing market volatility, is weighing a potential buyout of Italian health-care technology company GPI SpA, according to a report by Bloomberg.