(Update with Delivery Hero's response to a request for comment fromin the last paragraph.)
Uber Technologies' (UBER) efforts to acquire Delivery Hero could face a new hurdle as Saudi Arabia-based quick-commerce startup Ninja is considering a bid for some of the German food delivery company's Middle East assets, the Financial Times reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Ninja is initially focused on acquiring Delivery Hero's Saudi subsidiary HungerStation and could submit a proposal to the company's board as early as this week. The startup is also exploring a partnership with another group to acquire parts of Talabat, the Dubai-based food-delivery platform, the people said, according to the report.
Some Delivery Hero shareholders would support offers of around 10 billion euros ($11.5 billion) for the two assets, with Talabat accounting for most of that value, the report said. Such a deal could complicate Uber's takeover ambitions, given that the US ride-hailing company recently valued Delivery Hero at roughly 12 billion euros.
Delivery Hero declined to comment, while Uber didn't immediately reply to a request for comment from.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
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