Via Retail opens space for Michael Klein to turn controller

Behind a decision taken on Monday, 3, by the shareholders of Via Varejo in assembly, is the opening of a door for the entrepreneur Michael Klein, of the family of founders of Casas Bahia, become the controller of Via Varejo, network today controlled Sugar Loaf Group (GPA) and includes the Casas Bahia and Ponto Frio networks. Although there are supposedly still other groups in the race, sources linked to the negotiations say that Klein is currently the main candidate to stay with the asset. The business, which is being offered to local and international groups for two years, should gain traction in the coming weeks thanks to the withdrawal of the "poison pill" clause of the social status of Via Varejo, after shareholders ' meeting. The "poison pill" would oblige that any purchase of 20% or more of the shares should be extended to the other shareholders, via public offering of shares (OPA). According to a source, the entrepreneur would not be interested in following this path, but in making a private takeover. The negotiations for the sale of Via Varejo again gained momentum after the controller of the Casino group (owner of the GPA and, through this, Via Retail) ask for protection of the French justice to negotiate debts. Klein, established the state, seeks partnerships with investment funds to be able to buy the retailer of household appliances. The Klein family is the second largest shareholder in the company, with 25.4%, compared to 36.3% of the GPA. Wanted, Klein did not respond to the contacts of the report. Competition. Although news of other possible stakeholders in Via Varejo-as the investment company Starboard, specializing in assets in difficulties and that currently restructure the sales machine, owner of Ricardo Eletro-and Lojas Americanas, Klein runs As a favorite franc in the operation. Lojas Americanas has denied the rumor that you're buying Via retail. A source classified the chance of an agreement with Starboard as "small." In the wake of rumors related to Lojas Americanas and the expectation with the sale, Via Varejo had a positive day in the Paulista Stock exchange on Monday, closing in 5.53%, quoted at R $4.96. The company's market value rose to R $6.3 billion. Private negotiation with Klein interests the Pão de Açúcar group, as it opens the possibility that the company will receive an "extra" in relation to its current market value. /COLLABORATED FLÁVIA ALEMI