North American investors Blackstone and Ivanhoe Cambridge are reportedly close to inking the purchase of a 27% stake in Paris-listed property group Gecina for around €1.8 bn, bringing their total stake in the French REIT to nearly 50%.

North American investors Blackstone and Ivanhoe Cambridge are reportedly close to inking the purchase of a 27% stake in Paris-listed property group Gecina for around €1.8 bn, bringing their total stake in the French REIT to nearly 50%.

According to Spanish news reports, Gecina's majority owner, Spanish builder Metrovacesa is looking to sell the stake in a move to raise cash as it struggles with a massive debt pile. The company was taken over by creditors Santander , BBVA, Sabadell, Bankia and Popular in 2009.

US private equity giant Blackstone and Canadian property manager Ivanhoe Cambridge already own a 23% interest in Gecina after agreeing on a debt-for-equity swap earlier this year with former Gecina CEO Joaquin Rivero and ally Bautista Soler.

Blackstone and Ivanhoe Cambridge are currently looking at ways to avoid being legally obliged to launch a full takeover bid, including teaming up with a third partner, according to paper Expansion.

Metrovacesa said in August last year that it would consider selling the stake and it received a number of offers, including a bid from opportunity fund Orion Capital Managers and French insurer Predica.

In a statement following the report, Metrovacesa confirmed that talks are under way but declined to comment further.

Metrovacesa bought its Gecina stake for €89.75 per share in 2004, in a deal valued at €5.5 bn.