(Telecompaper) Hutchison Whampoa, owner of 3 Ireland, is in advanced talks to acquire Telefonica's Irish unit O2, Bloomberg reports, citing unnamed sources close to the negotiations. According to the same sources, an agreement could be reached even before rival bidders are expected to place their bids on 5 July. Telefonica is keen on closing a deal before it publishes interim results at the end of next month, the sources added.