According to reports, the London Stock Exchange is in exclusive talks to purchase Turquoise Trading, the pan-European equity alternative trading system backed by a consortium of nine investment banks.

In August Turquoise sent out sales prospectuses to potential buyers and said it would present a shortlist of buyers by the end of September. In addition to the LSE, prospectuses were sent to the likes of Deutsche Borse, Nadsaq OMX, NYSE Euronext, SIX and Chi-X.

In a statement the LSE said, "London Stock Exchange Group plc announces that it has entered into exclusive discussions with Turquoise Trading Limited, which may lead to a transaction. A further announcement will be made in due course."