Rupert Murdoch?s News Corporation (NasdaqGS:NWSA) and the owner of the Daily Mail have held talks about a potential joint takeover of Telegraph Media Group Limited ? one of the UK?s most famous newspapers ? alongside the UAE-backed investment fund RedBird IMI, people familiar with the matter said.

A joint bid by the three would result in a smaller stake for RedBird IMI, which may ease concerns by British politicians over foreign state control of a legacy media outlet, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks. Representatives from the Daily Mail and General Trust ? owner of the Daily Mail newspaper controlled by Jonathan Harmsworth ?

and News Corp.?s News UK unit have held back-channel conversations on how to form such a joint structure, they said.