A&O Shearman is advising Germany’s Salzgitter AG, one of the largest steel firms in Europe, on a possible public takeover by a domestic consortium made up of TSR Recycling GmbH, advised by White and Case, and construction giant GP Günter Papenburg Aktiengesellschaft, advised by local firm Roser Rechtsanwälte.

The consortium submitted a non-binding offer to Salzgitter’s executive board, citing an indicative offer price of €18.5 per share, which would make the takeover worth €1.2billion. Shares were priced at €15.73 when the consortium announced its intentions and have now risen to €17.48.

Salzgitter and the domestic consortium are still in discussions. The consortium was not interested in a hostile takeover, a source close to the deal said.