German life sciences group Bayer’s takeover tilt at Missouri-based agriculture company Monsanto has handed Morgan Stanley a third bumper M&A mandate of the week, after roles on potentially the biggest Chinese takeover of a German company ever and one of 2016's largest oil and gas tie-ups.

On May 18, Monsanto said it had received "an unsolicited, non-binding proposal" from Bayer regarding a possible takeover and was reviewing the proposal. Bayer confirmed the following day it had held discussions with Monsanto executives about a "negotiated acquisition" of the firm, adding that a deal "would create a leading integrated agriculture business".