The New York Post reports that the German publisher, which is backed by private equity group KKR, is keen to purchase Warner's publishing company should regulators force Access to split up the major.

This would almost certainly happen if Access also make a pass at EMI, which is expected to come back onto the market later this year, and already in talks with possible bidders.

Sony/ATV and Universal music would also be interested in acquiring piece of Warner/Chappell should it ...