French construction company Eiffage has hired Lazard to advise it on a €6.5bn ($8.8bn) unsolicited bid from Spanish rival Sacyr Vallehermoso.

Sacyr, advised by France's Calyon, launched the offer yesterday after its chief executive Luis del Rivero stormed out of Eiffage's general meeting when the French group blocked his attempt to select five of its 15 directors.