A Dow Jones article cited a MAN spokesman as confirming German media reports that Allianz and MAN were exploring options for Manroland with a view to finding a "sustainable solution" for the company.

This followed a report in German newspaper Handelsblatt, which claimed that Allianz and MAN had been seeking a disposal of their stakes in Manroland "for some time" as a result of the downturn in print equipment sales.

Handelsblatt went on to claim that the press manufacturer could be taken over by a large European engineering company not currently active in the printing industry, with details of the takeover or entry of the new strategic investor expected to be clarified in the coming weeks.

Manroland has been the subject of several industry consolidation rumours in recent years, including a potential merger with its biggest rival Heidelberg and a mooted acquisition by Goss-shareholder Shanghai Electric. One senior industry source said: "Maybe the end game is coming around."

A spokesman for Manroland said: "We do not comment on rumours and speculations."