Reports are fast emerging that online travel agent Loveholidays is poised for a £180 million sale.

Sky News says a takeover by private equity firm Livingbridge is expected to be confirmed this week, netting huge sums for Jonny Marsh and Alex Francis who founded the company six years ago.

Shareholders in the company were asked to sign over the right to negotiate to the CEO and chairman around a month ago.

Loveholidays, with offices in Hammersmith and Lancing, allows users to search for holidays across multiple destinations within the same price bracket, look for departures within a 30-day period, and alter the length of their stay without having to start all over again.

Livingbridge has previously invested in On The Beach, back in 2007, and also owns Sykes Cottages.

Two years ago it helped with the sale of Reed & Mackay and also assisted the management buy-out of Key Travel.

Sky News reports that Travel Counsellors is also on the verge of being sold, to buyout firm Vitruvian Partners for around £250 million.

Vitruvian Partners had previously backed Skyscanner, now owned by Ctrip.

Courtesy of Travelmole