Cerved Group S.p.A. (BIT:CERV)  is in advanced talks with Centerbridge Partners, L.P. to clinch the long-awaited sale of its debt collection arm which is valued at about EUR 400 million ($476.68 million), two sources told Reuters. The unit has also drawn interest from Prelios S.p.A. and other Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO)  and Apax Partners LLP, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Centerbridge is the frontrunner in the discussions and could clinch a deal in the coming weeks, possibly paving the way to a full takeover of Cerved which has been on the radar screen of several heavyweight buyout funds in recent years, the sources said.

Cerved, Prelios and Apax declined to comment while Centerbridge and Apollo were not immediately available for comment.