French corporate raider and Havas chairman Vincent Bollore has taken his stake in Aegis to 24.97 percent, reports the Guardian (via MediaBuyerPlanner). If his stake reaches 25 percent, he will be in a commanding position to negotiate with any company that launches a takeover (a takeover is being mulled by Publicis and WPP).

At a 30 percent stake, Bollore would be required to launch his own takeover bid. Aegis chief executive Robert Lerwill still believes the group could remain independent, the Guardian article states.