TDC, the Danish telecoms group at the centre of a €9.8bn ($11.6bn) private equity bid battle, has reportedly added Merrill Lynch to its defence team. Goldman Sachs is already advising TDC on private equity discussions.

Reuters, reported that an article in this morning's Danish financial daily Borsen said that Merrill will advise on whether TDC should seek to raise a loan to fend off the buyout.