Russian gold supplier Polyus Gold International has instructed Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) to help it deal with a $9bn (£5.95bn) takeover offer from a company owned by the son of a Russian billionaire.

The offer for Russia's largest gold producer has been tabled by investment company Sacturino, a wholly owned subsidiary of investment vehicle Wandle Holdings (an existing 40% shareholder in Polyus), which is ultimately controlled by Said Kerimov. Said is the son of Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov.

London-based corporate partners Greg Mulley and Mike Flockhart are leading the HSF team, along with the firm's global head of M&A Stephen Wilkinson.