German Publisher Axel Springer in Talks to Buy Axios

In a sign of continuing consolidation in media all over the world, German publishing giant Axel Springer is in talks to buy up Axios in a deal said to be potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The information, which first reported the news, said Friday that Axios is seeking a valuation of $400 million; but according to The Wall Street Journal, the outlet is hoping to be valued at as much as $450 million.

These figures are however not guaranteed, WSJ reports, and talks, which are not final, could still fall through. However, WSJ and The Information report that talks have increased in recent weeks.

The news comes amid a wave of media and entertainment mergers and acquisitions, including the $43 billion merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia that will see them spun off from AT&T into an entirely new company worth as much as $130 billion. The new company’s name has yet to be announced, but it will own DC Comics, CNN, Discovery and WarnerMedia’s streaming services, vast sports rights, and numerous other properties.

Axel Springer for its part owns major German papers such as Die Welt and Bild, and also owns American publisher Business Insider.

*Related stories from TheWrap:*

Discovery Gives David Zaslav a New Contract Following WarnerMedia Merger Announcement

WarnerMedia Merger Deal Kicks Off Scramble for Interim Leadership

How Discovery-WarnerMedia Merger Will Force Hollywood to Get Bigger or Go Home