LONDON-LISTED Mediclinic is set to be bought by a consortium for around £3.7bn in the fourth offer for the hospital chain operator.

The consortium, including South African investment holding firm Remgro and Switzerland's MSC Mediterranean Shipping, has snapped up the company's UK operation.

"The recommended offer represents a near-term value realisation for Mediclinic shareholders at an attractive premium," Dame Inga Beale, chair of Mediclinic, said in a statement yesterday, adding that over the company's near 40-year history "Remgro has remained a supportive long-term shareholder".

Billionaire tycoon Johann Rupert's investment vehicle Remgro already owns an up to 45 per cent stake in Mediclinic, which is South Africa's third largest operator.

Mediclinic shareholders will receive 504p per share in cash, as part of the offer.

Should the offer be approved by shareholders, Mediclinic will be delisted and kept as a private company under the consortium's wing.

Mediclinic had previously rejected the offer. However, the board U-turned on their decision in early July.

Bosses said at the time that having weighed up the realities of current macro-economic conditions, "the near-term value realisation of the latest proposal provides Mediclinic's shareholders an attractive alternative to the group continuing as an independent company" and that it will recommend the offer to shareholders.

The offer represents a 23 per cent premium on its share price on 7 June.

Mediclinic's share price has surged more than 55 per cent in the year to date, in months largely dominated by a string of takeover bids.

The consortium previously offered £3.4bn for the company at the beginning of June.

However, the board concluding that the bid "significantly undervalued" the healthcare group and its "future prospects".

Beale added: "Together with SAS, the consortium's resources will put Mediclinic in a strong position to continue to serve patients through our broad range of high-quality healthcare services."

(c) 2022 City A.M., source Newspaper