LONDON (ShareCast) - (ShareCast News) - Trinity Mirror, the owner of the Daily Mirror newspaper, is in talks to buy the entire publishing assets of Richard Desmond's Northern & Shell business, which controls the Daily Express, Daily Star and OK! Magazine.
Trinity said it was "in discussions to acquire 100% of the publishing assets of Northern & Shell", having in January admitted in was in the "early stage of discussions" with Desmond over a potential investment in some assets.

On Friday, the publisher said it was no longer negotiating over acquiring a minority stake.

Any acquisition would require the approval of Trinity Mirror shareholders, the company added.

Newspaper reports earlier in the year had suggested Trinity might buy OK! Magazine and take a minority stake in Northern & Shell that could lead to a larger deal such as a combination of the Express and Star newspapers.

But these talks were put on hold by a rival bid from ex-Trinity Mirror, Local World and Mecom newspaper magnate David Montgomery to buy Northern & Shell's entire publishing arm, with Trinity having been said to be one of the possible backers.

These talks have since fallen through, the Guardian reported.

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