Rumors continue to abound in Britain about the new investment intentions of Mike Ashley, the majority shareholder of Sports Direct International (SDI), which is the leading British sports retailer and wholesaler. The most recurrent reports are that he wants to acquire House of Fraser, a British chain of department stores. Another more intriguing report published by Drapers last month is that Ashley has been holding talks with JD Sports Fashion, the British sports and fashion retailer, to discuss a potential swap of assets: The JD group may be interested in Flannels and Cruise, two small fashion chains bought by SDI, while Ashley is eager to acquire a rugby brand and is said to be eyeing Kooga.

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