04:44 AM EST, 01/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with KKR's comment in the fifth paragraph.)

KKR (KKR) is in discussions to invest in Seven & i Holdings as part of a proposal by the latter's founding family to take the Japanese convenience store operator private, multiple news outlets have reported.

KKR is in talks to invest several hundred billion yen for an equity stake, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The buyout proposal from management would include roughly 4 trillion yen ($25.7 billion) in equity stakes, with additional financing from banks, Bloomberg reported. KKR's possible involvement follows Apollo Global Management ( APO ) considering a commitment of up to 1.5 trillion yen for the buyout, according to the report.

The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the situation, that KKR's investment plan is at a very early stage.

KKR declined MT Newswires' request for comment.