Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

> ** Indian state explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC.BO) is seeking a 20-25 percent stake in a $7.5 billion phase-12 project of Iran's South Pars gas field, media reports said on Friday. To read more, double click on [ID:nDEL45204] ** Ranault (RENA.PA) may agree to increase its holding in troubled Russian carmaker AvtoVAZ (AVAZ.MM), in return for Moscow taking a stake in the French company, Kommersant business daily reported on Friday. [ID:nGEE5AP0TI] ** A former Philippine trade minister and ally of San Miguel Corp's (SMCB.PS) president on Friday led a group paying nearly $1.4 billion for a 28 percent stake in the food-to-power conglomerate, and may seek a full takeover as San Miguel shifts into high-growth heavy industry and infrastructure. [ID:nMAN47331] ** Vivendi (VIV.PA), which is keen to expand in emerging markets, could be eyeing the Algerian subsidiary of Egypt's Orascom Telecom (ORTE.CA) (ORTEq.L), French daily La Tribune reports on Friday. [ID:nGEE5AQ037] ** Softbank Corp (9984.T), Japan's third-largest mobile phone operator, is among the bidders for struggling telecoms firm Willcom Inc, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Friday.

"> ** Indian state explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC.BO) is seeking a 20-25 percent stake in a $7.5 billion phase-12 project of Iran's South Pars gas field, media reports said on Friday"[ID:nT31540] ** German retailer Metro (MEOG.DE) is in talks to buy the the Privileg white goods brand from mail-order group Otto, the Financial Times Deutschland newspaper reported on Friday without citing any sources. [ID:nGEE5AQ0A3] ** Indian financial services firm Reliance Capital (RLCP.BO) said on Friday it plans to take a majority stake in Mumbai-based Quant Capital Group. [ID:nBMA006497] ** British property fund manager Capital & Regional Plc (CAL.L) said its Mall Fund sold a 420,000-square-foot shopping centre to LaSalle Investment Management for 97.9 million pounds ($161.5 million). [ID:nBNG497186] (Compiled by Mansi Dutta in Bangalore) ((mansi.dutta@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S.

+91 80 4135 5800; Reuters Messaging: mansi.dutta.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))