NEW YORK — Citing unidentified sources who are familiar with the discussions, Bloomberg News has reported that Yucaipa Cos. is currently in talks with Tesco PLC to buy the Fresh & Easy chain of about 200 stores in the western United States.

Citing unidentified sources who are familiar with the discussions, Bloomberg News has reported that Yucaipa Cos. is currently in talks with Tesco PLC to buy the Fresh & Easy chain of about 200 stores in the western United States.

Both Yucaipa and Tesco refused to comment.

The stores reportedly will be rebannered as Wild Oats, a chain of natural/organic food stores acquired by Whole Foods Market Inc. in 2007.

The Wild Oats name is owned by Jim Keyes, former chief executive officer of 7-Eleven Inc. and Blockbuster Inc., who is said to be the future CEO of the revived chain.

The Bloomberg report notes that an entity named Wild Oats Marketing LLC has applied to open grocery stores, using the address of Yucaipa on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.