Germany’s newspapers FAZ and Handelsblatt report that both Holztbrinck and the Thalia book chain are interested in bidding to buy the Weltbild publishing group. Holtzbrinck and Thalia currently own Netherlands-based online book distributor bol.com and publisher Droemer Knaur together. Thomson reports, “Weltbild said over the weekend that it wants to change and expand its structure but that there are no plans to break up nor sell its units.” Holtzbrinck deputy md Jochen Gutbrod acknowledged his company’s potential interest; Thalia did not comment. Thomson Financial
