Spanish construction giant ACS has offered to buy a majority share in Italian motorway operator Autostrade per L'Italia (Aspi), valuing the firm at nine to 10 billion euros, an industry source said Thursday.

Infrastructure group Atlantia owns 88 percent of Aspi but has been under pressure to give up control since the 2018 deadly collapse of the Genoa bridge, which Aspi was in charge of maintaining.

The move would see the Spanish group add Italy's toll roads to its global network run through Abertis, itself a joint venture with Atlantia.

There was no immediate comment from Atlantia but a spokeswoman told AFP a statement would be issued after a board meeting on Thursday afternoon.

ACS declined to comment.

bh-ar/ams/lth

AUTOSTRADE MERIDIONALI

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS

ATLANTIA