MILAN (Reuters). – The Benetton family (NYSE:), and the U.S.-based fund Blackstone (NYSE 🙂 will launch their 58billion euro (or $61 billion) bid to buy Atlantia, Italy, at the end the summer. Three sources claimed that they have filed their prospectus with the authorities.

Through investment vehicle Schemaquarantatre the bidders have joined hands to make the Italian airport and motorway operator private over the next few months.

The Benettons and Blackstone must get their plan cleared by multiple authorities, including Consob (the Italian market watchdog), the Bank of Italy, and the Bank of Spain.

One source said that the takeover might be complete by the end of summer. This would mean the start of the stock market bid in the second half or third of September.

According to sources, the regulatory process will take up to three months even though it is not expected that there would be any major obstacles.

Telepass is Atlantia’s digital toll-payment unit. The Bank of Italy supervises it, and Consob must approve it.

It is possible that the Italian government could also have an input under special vetting power over strategic assets such as Rome’s Airports which are managed by Atlantia’s AdR unit.

It can count on backing from the Edizione holding company, which is 33% owner of Atlantia, as well as the CRT Italian banking foundation, which has 4.5% stake in the infrastructure group.

Atlantia has yet to give its view about the offer.

($1 = 0.9456 euros)