Italy based Finmeccanica asked state-owned holding Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) to propose an offer to acquire the defense group's energy firm. This was according to the Il Secolo XIX newspaper said on Saturday, citing people close to the matter.

Finmeccanica is Italy's second largest employer. It had been more than a year ago that the company singled out Ansaldo Energia among the assets it wanted to sell to be able to cut its debt pile.

According to the paper, representatives from the CDP and the government were met by Finmeccanica's CEO Alessandro Pansa. The meeting was to discuss a possible offer from CDP to keep Ansaldo Energia. South Korea based Doosan Heavy Industries had been seeking a majority stake under state control.

The paper also added that it would be up to DCP to sell a minority state to Doosan if the Korean group should be interested in acquiring a non-controlling shareholding in the company.

A representative from Finmeccanica said the company would not comment on a report based on media speculation.