Audi to announce Ducati acquisition next week?

According to at least one unnamed source, Audi's purchase of Ducati is as good as done. Reuters reports that Audi has taken a good hard look at Ducati's books and found "no major stumbling blocks."

Another source says Ducati's largest shareholder, Investindustrial, has agreed to discuss the cyclemaker's sale to no one but Audi.

Volkswagen's annual shareholder meeting is April 19 and an announcement concerning Audi's purchase of Ducati could come before then. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera has reported that Audi's bargaining exclusivity rights will expire April 15, at which point Investindustrial will then be free to shop around for a Ducati buyer.