The planned Ā£2 billion sale of Somerfield could be dropped after only one bid was tabled by the deadline at the end of last week.
Only the Co-op is understood to have tabled a full proposal for the business ahead of the March 14 cut-off date, according to reports.
Asda is yet to make an offer for the retailer, despite sounding out Somerfieldās owners about a deal last year, which is believed to have sparked the sale process.
One source told The Times that Somerfield is a ālittle bit uncertainā about Asdaās intentions. āIf they donāt get the price they want, they will hold on,ā the source added.
Asda chief executive Andy Bond refused to comment.
Speculation has risen that the sale could be thrown off course given the credit crunch and theĀ£2 billion price sought by Somerfieldās owners, which includes private equity group Apax.
An Apax-led consortium bought Somerfield in 2005 forĀ£1.1 billion. It is part owned by property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz.
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