Owners Citigroup, a US bank, is thought to be disappointed with bids that have come in at the lower end of its $3billion (£1.9billion) to $4billion price, forcing the bank to consider whether to sell its music publishing and recorded music divisions separately, or postpone the deal until conditions improve.
A decision is expected within a fortnight.
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Sources said problems lay in the credit markets which make it difficult for some buyers, especially private equity firms, to raise the cash for a higher bid.
Citigroup is thought to be disappointed with bids that have come in at the lower end of its $3billion (£1.9billion) to $4billion price
Citigroup is thought to have received a number of different proposals: one for the whole company, two for the music publishing arm and three for the recorded music division.
EMI chief executive Roger Faxon favours a single-entity sale.
Offers for music publishing have come in at $1.7billion and $2.5billion and bids for recorded music are thought to be between $1billion and $1.3billion.