(Telecompaper) Vodafone UK has confirmed that it was approached by the Phones 4u administrator and decided to make an offer to buy 140 of the latter's stores to accelerate its retail expansion programme and save hundreds of jobs. The operator said its offer was accepted by the administrator. Approximately 900 former employees of Phones 4u will keep their jobs and join Vodafone's retail business. Subject to court approval, Vodafone will start engaging with the employees and start rebranding the stores to Vodafone as soon as possible. Separately, the Sunday Times reports without citing sources that EE is in talks with the administrator to buy more than 4u stores.