Private equity group CVC Partners is reportedly close to buying a 30 per cent stake in the attractions giant Merlin.

According to the Financial Times, this means that Merlin - which owns the London Eye and the Madame Tussauds and Legoland brands - would have to put its plans to achieve an initial public offering on hold for at least two years.

The newspaper said that CVC would buy the minority stake from Merlin’s existing shareholders, which include rival private equity firm Blackstone; Kirkbi A/S, the investment arm of the Lego Group; and Dubai International Capital, the emirate’s sovereign wealth fund.

The deal is expected to create a three-pronged ownership structure, with CVC, Blackstone and Kirkbi A/S each having about 30 per cent of Merlin’s equity and the rest held by its management, led by Nick Varney, chief executive.

A spokesperson for Merlin told Leisure Opportunities that they weren’t prepared to comment on “speculation”.