ABG — under billionaire Jamie Salter — has become a massive operation in recent years with its Reebok buy and the recent Beckham deal adding further weight to its global presence.

Buying Ted Baker, a brand with a market valuation at the moment of only around £27 million, would be relatively small scale compared to some of its deals. But the brand does have a major presence in the UK, as well as global operations and employs thousands of people.

Stock exchange-listed Ted Baker was originally put up for sale after it received three unsolicited bids from private equity group Sycamore Partners, the first two valued at up to £250 million. The total price for third offer hasn’t been revealed. But the company rejected all the offers as undervaluing it.

Sky said it’s unclear whether ABG — if it decided to bid — would work with a partner, having previously linked up with JD SportsTopshopArcadia