Observer claims Mail is looking at acquiring the Indy

Hidden away in the business section of the Observer is a story by James Robinson that the Mail group is looking at acquiring the Independent.

According to James Robinson

Daily Mail and General Trust is believed to be considering a bid for the Independent and its Sunday sister title, part of Independent News & Media. It is unclear whether discussions between the two companies have taken place, or if a deal will be struck, but industry sources claim the titles could be off-loaded for £1, with DMGT taking on the loss-making papers' liabilities

Is this a running concern? James continues

DMGT executives are thought to be wary of acquiring the papers because DMGT has debts of its own, but industry sources say the fact that sales at both titles are under pressure could present them with a rare opportunity to acquire a valuable national newspaper brand.
Privately, sources close to IN&M say the papers are not for sale, though they concede that rival groups have offered to take on some back office functions, including human resources and accounts