EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu Inc. is reportedly close to reaching a deal with Cerberus Capital Management LP under which the private equity firm would acquire some parts of the retailer as well as a stake in the rest.

Supervalu Inc. is reportedly close to reaching a deal with Cerberus Capital Management LP under which the private equity firm would acquire some parts of the retailer as well as a stake in the rest.

A report in The Wall Street Journal suggested that the deal being considered could be announced as early as January 10 (after this issue of MMR went to press). The deal would involve Cerberus — with the backing of several real estate firms — buying some Supervalu assets. Cerberus is most interested in the Albertsons chain, according to the report, which notes that a Cerberus-led group bought part of the Albertsons chain in 2006, and may intend to reunite that business, now operating as Albertsons LLC, with the Albertsons stores operated by Supervalu. Cerberus would then take a stake in the remainder of Supervalu, which would remain a public company.

A spokesman for Supervalu told Reuters in response to the story that the company’s previously announced review of strategic alternatives was proceeding and that it was in discussions with a number of parties. Neither Supervalu nor Cerberus would comment on the reported deal.