Italy’s AP Holding SpA, which owns the Air One airline, is close to securing the financial backing of Morgan Stanley, Nomura, Lehman Brothers and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA in its bid for Alitalia SpA, the daily Il Sole 24 Ore said citing financial sources. The four banks will act as arrangers in the operation alongside Intesa Sanpaolo SpA which is already committed to providing Air One financial backing in its race to buy the national carrier, Sole said.

Yesterday Aeroflot, which is also in the race for Alitalia, said it is not interested in cooperating with Air One over a bid.

Air One said there have never been contacts with Aeroflot in this regard.
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