(Telecompaper) An Orange spokesperson denied that the company had reached a deal with Vivendi on the acquisition of a stake in Telecom Italia and Canal Plus, reports Les Echos. The statement came following press reports that the two groups could be close to an agreement. Orange representatives have admitted the possibility of talks with Vivendi, as rumours of discussions last emerged in early July. News site Challenges published an article on 24 August claiming that Orange was considering taking a stake in Telecom Italia and Canal Plus in a deal brokered by investment banker Jean-Marie Messier. According to Challenges, the stake in Canal Plus (in the region of 20 percent) was not necessarily dependent on the acquisition of a stake in Telecom Italia, in which Vivendi holds 24.9 percent of the share capital. Vivendi has not commented on the reports.