British publisher Pearson did not specify who the FT, its website and its 50 percent stake in The Economist magazine, would be sold to, but the paper itself reported that it would go to Axel Springer, citing "several people familiar with the situation."

The deal is not yet concluded and Pearson said there was "no certainty that the discussions will lead to a transaction."

But if it does, the sale would put to rest years of speculation over whether the 171-year-old British publisher was looking to let go of its pink-paged "trophy asset," which it acquired in 1957.

cjc/sri (Reuters, AP)