Merger talks are being discussed ahead of refinancing at EG Group, which has £7bn of debt due in 2025, according to The Sunday Times. 

The Issa brothers and joint owner TDR Capital hope that by combining both profitable businesses – supermarket giant Asda, which they bought two years ago, and EG Group, their sprawling petrol forecourt empire – they will be able to refinance the debt on far more favourable terms.