LONDON — Bayer is exploring a potential bid for US competitor Monsanto in a deal that would create the world’s largest supplier of seeds and farm chemicals, according to people familiar with the matter.The German company had held preliminary discussions internally and with advisers about buying Monsanto, which has a market value of almost $40bn, said the people, who asked not to be named because the deliberations are private.Bayer, which is valued at about €84bn, had discussed how to finance a deal including potential asset sales, the people said. No final decision had been made, and the company could decide against a bid or pursue other transactions with Monsanto, including joint ventures or asset sales, the people said.Representatives for Bayer and Monsanto declined to comment.Putting the world’s largest seed maker together with the German company that invented aspirin would bring together brands such as Roundup, Monsanto’s blockbuster herbicide; and Sivanto, a new Bayer insectici...
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