MILAN, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Italy's No. 2 bank UniCredit has invited expressions of interest from investors for its leasing business to gauge market appetite for the unit as it weighs a potential sale, two people close to the matter said.

One of the sources said UniCredit aimed to gather investors' valuations for the unit, but no decision on the sale had yet been taken and it may not happen.

A representative for UniCredit declined to comment. (Reporting by Valentina Za; editing by David Evans)