Vivendi put in a request for EU approval on Monday, according to the bloc's competition enforcer.

The deal, which would combine France's two biggest publishing groups, Lagardere's Hachette and Vivendi's Editis, has already drawn criticism from French independent publishers, including its most famous one, Gallimard.

The Commission can clear the deal with or without remedies after its preliminary review, or it can open a four-month long investigation if it has serious concerns.

Vivendi's top investor, billionaire Vincent Bollore, is considering selling Editis to allay possible EU antitrust concerns.

The acquisition means Vivendi, which owns pay TV group Canal+ and right-leaning news channel CNEWS, will take control of Lagardere's flagship magazine Paris Match, the weekly newspaper Journal du Dimanche and radio station Europe 1.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mike Harrison)