Ekonom.cz: reports Google, others, interested in buying Seznam

Czech internet site Ekonom.cz has suggested that companies Mediatel and Google, as well as two or three other financial investors, have expressed an interest in Czech search engine and website Seznam. However, Seznam’s owner Ivo Lukačovič, who holds a 70 percent stake, has denied the report, telling the site at the end of the year the property will still be his. Mr Lukačovič has repeatedly denied Seznam’s sale. But Ekonom reported that Friday saw the end of a second round for potential bidders, willing to pay an estimated 900 million US dollars for ownership of the successful search engine. Seznam is used daily by 2.1 million visitors.