Mergers and acquisitions

The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 0930 GMT on Friday:

** Owners of Atletico de Madrid are in advanced talks to sell a majority stake in the top-tier Spanish soccer club to Apollo Global Management <APO.N>, according to three people with knowledge of the deal.

** British online trading platform IG Group <IGG.L> said it had acquired Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve for A$178 million ($117.41 million), expanding its digital offerings and presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

** Swedish private equity firm EQT <EQTAB.ST> has launched the sale of its Nordic digital infrastructure business GlobalConnect, at a potential valuation of 8 billion euros ($9.43 billion), the Financial Times reported citing unidentified sources.

** Canadian private equity firm Onex Partners has announced that it will acquire program administrator Integrated Specialty Coverages from KKR.