Netherlands bank ABN Amro could win the controversial takeover battle for bid target Antonveneta after Banca Popolare Italiana, its bidding rival, reportedly agreed to sell its stake in the Italian bank.

Het Financieele Dagblad, the Dutch newspaper, reports that the bank could seal the takeover "within weeks" after it emerged that Pop Italiana approached international banks with an offer to sell its 29.9% stake. It cites sources close to ABN's board.