Vivendi unwilling to pay above 6 bn for SFR stake

LONDON, UK: European telecoms and entertainment group Vivendi is not willing to pay much more than 6 billion pounds ($9.6 billion) for Vodafone's stake in SFR, the Financial Times said on Monday, citing sources familiar with the talks.

Vivendi wants full ownership of French mobile phone operator SFR and has long been seen as a likely acquirer of Vodafone's 44 per cent stake.

Analysts expect the deal could be worth 7-8 billion euros.

Vodafone and Vivendi were not immediately reachable for comment.