Dutch brewing group Grolsch and Italy’s Peroni may be taken over by Japanese brewer Asahi for the equivalent of some €3.1bn, according to Japanese media reports.

Asahi has some 38% of the Japanese beer market and has reportedly reached a deal with current owner SABMiller on the takeover.

Grolsch has been put up for sale in an effort to win Brussels’ approval for a merger between the world’s two biggest beer groups, AB Inbev and SABMiller.

AB Inbev struck a deal to take over Grolsch owner SABMiller in November for around €60 a share, a 50% premium on the closing price on September 14. British-South African brewing group SABMiller bought Grolsch for €816m at the end of 2007.