Singer & Friedlander is tipped to succumb to a takeover bid worth £750m (&euro1.2bn) in the near future, unless it can secure rapid success with its plan to spend £400m on fund manager acquisitions.

S&F's UK funds total £4.5bn. The firm has developed a number of important joint relationships across Europe with such firms as Danske Bank and Belgium's Bank Corluy, which may be able to supply deal introductions.