Ceconomy shareholder talks on takeover by JD.com on home stretch, sources say

DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) - Talks between the shareholders of German electronics retailer Ceconomy (CECG.DE), over a potential takeover by China's JD.com (9618.HK), are on the home stretch, four sources told Reuters, with an announcement possible on Wednesday evening.

A JD.com spokesperson declined to comment. Ceconomy could not be reached for comment.

Ceconomy last week confirmed it was in advanced negotiations over a potential takeover at 4.60 euros per share, which would value a deal at around 2.2 billion euros ($2.53 billion).

However, the retailer, which owns electronics chains MediaMarkt and Saturn, said no legally binding agreements had been signed and it was not certain whether a takeover offer would happen.

The talks could still fail at the last minute due to demands from Ceconomy's owners, the sources said.

"It's not quite finalised yet," said one source, adding that the Ceconomy supervisory board could meet later on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for a major Ceconomy shareholder, the Kellerhals family, declined to comment.

The MediaMarkt and Saturn brands would give JD.com access to one of the largest online shops for electronic goods in Europe and a network of around 1,000 stores in several European countries. Around 50,000 people work at the two chains.

Fitch Ratings on Wednesday said the takeover could bolster Ceconomy's credit profile by leveraging the latter’s stronger credit profile and global reach.