The Blackstone Group has sent a preliminary deal proposal to Dell Inc., people briefed on the matter said on Saturday, signaling that the investment giant may make a formal bid for the computer company.
The letter, sent late Friday night, was meant to keep talks going with a special committee of Dell’s board, one of these people said. The company’s directors have spent the last 45 days trying to flush out alternatives to a $24.4 billion offer from Michael S. Dell and the private equity firm Silver Lake.
Details of the offer weren’t immediately available. It isn’t clear whether the Dell committee will choose to continue negotiating with Blackstone.
Blackstone has spent several weeks talking with prospective partners, including TPG Capital and General Electric‘s GE Finance arm. The firm has also spoken with Southeastern Asset Management, Dell’s biggest outside shareholder and a vocal opponent of Mr. Dell’s current offer.
A spokesman for Dell wasn’t immediately available for comment.
