UK - New entrant to begin battle for Boots?

Market sources suggest that German firm Celesio, a continental rival to the Alliance Boots pharmaceutical chain, has approached other buyout groups about the possibility of teaming up to launch a competing takeover bid for the listed UK retailer. Boots opened up its books to KKR on Friday following its ТЃ10bn offer after an earlier deal was rejected. Permira, CVC, Blackstone and Texas Pacific Group are amongst the names thought to be eyeing a rival bid for Boots with Celesio.