German hospitals operator Rhoen-Klinikum AG on Monday said that it expects to receive German antitrust clearance for the planned sale of two-thirds of its assets to rival Fresenius SE & Co. in early 2014.

Reuters, citing a statement by Rhoen, said that it is becoming apparent that the German competition authority will finalize the main review proceeding initiated for the transaction with Fresenius Helios Kliniken. Rhoen said that German regulators will then grant clearance to the deal.

As part of the deal, Rhoen expects to sell 43 hospitals and 15 outpatient facilities in the first quarter of next year, the report said.

Rhoen's management board currently expects that only a few hospitals will have to be excluded from the scope of the transaction. These would remain with the company or could be sold in the open market, Reuters said.

The deal will be booked mainly in the financial year 2013. Rhoen said that its management board also plans to propose a share buyback in 2014, the report stated.