For the past 12 months, EPL Talk has reported several times about speculation that media companies have allegedly been involved in behind-the-scenes discussions about taking over Setanta Sports. Now the news has hit the mainstream press with The Sunday Telegraph reporting that Setanta had received an unsolicited approach potentially worth almost 2 billion dollars from a rival European broadcaster.

Thomson Financial News, meanwhile, is reporting that Setanta has had several takeover approaches from major media companies according to a source close to the situation. All of the interested parties are from unidentified potential bidders in the industry.

Potential bidders could include ITV, BT, Virgin Media and ESPN.

According to The Sunday Telegraph, investment bank Goldman Sachs has been asked by its fellow shareholders to field enquiries from interested parties, which will undoubtedly open a string of interest from companies worldwide.

In late 2007, there were strong rumors linking ESPN to Setanta Sports. Watch this space for more developments in the coming weeks.