Reports: Mark Hurd approached for Dell top spot

Rumours abound that private equity giant Blackstone Group is considering a bid on Dell

Michael Dell’s plans to quietly take his namesake company private have hit another snafu after being dealt a blow by private equity firm Blackstone Group.

This is on top of continuing rumours that rival vendors HP and Lenovo are also considering putting in a bid and the earlier blow that eight per cent stakeholder Southeastern Asset Management wanted another look at the books.

According to rumours kick-started by Fortune, Blackstone is seriously considering a counterbid for the PC maker, and is keen to have Michael Dell on side.

But Dell has partnered with rival PE firm Silver Lake Partners for the $24.4bn deal, leaving Blackstone unsure if he would be on their side should they put in a successful bid, so it has apparently drawn up a potential chief executive shortlist as a precautionary measure.

One of the firm’s top choices is allegedly Mark Hurd (pictured), former HP head honcho and currently serving as board member of Oracle, and the rumour is Blackstone was “aggressive” in its recruiting efforts.

Another potential candidate allegedly on the shortlist is former Compaq chief Michael Capellas.

The story continues.