Siol quotes unofficial sources as saying that banks holding over half of all claims to Tuš had granted the fund due diligence of the retailer.

A consortium of banks headed by the state-owned NLB initiated the sale of EUR 300m in claims to Tuš last autumn.

Several potential bidders made non-binding bids but only one, AnaCap Financial Partners, remained in the game. It offered 35 cents to the euro, which the banks deemed too low, according to Siol.

Quantum Strategic Partners is a private investment vehicle for the Soros family.

The Tuš group ended last year with a net profit of EUR 4.8m and sales of EUR 510m.

Retail accounts for 97% of revenue, the group having already sold its telecoms and gas retail arms to pay down debt.