The two private-equity firms have held exploratory talks about the potential for a joint offer, the report added, quoting people asking not to be identified as the talks are private. CVC Capital, KKR and Telecom Italia S.p.A. (BIT:TIT) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE:KKR) and CVC Capital Partners have held exploratory talks about the potential for a joint offer, the report added, quoting people asking not to be identified as the talks are private. CVC Capital, KKR and Telecom Italia did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. CVC has been studying a possible acquisition of Telecom Italia for several months, the people were quoted as saying in the Bloomberg News report, adding that the private-equity firms are still discussing the merits of teaming up for the joint bidding. KKR has made a EUR 10.8 billion ($12 billion) offer in the midst of a boardroom row between Telecom Italia Chief Executive Officer Luigi Gubitosi and the former Italian telecoms monopoly's top investor Vivendi (VIV.PA), Reuters reported on November 25, 2021. Gubitosi told the board that he is ready to step aside to speed up a decision on the KKR offer, according to sources.