British drinks giant Diageo is "very interested" in buying Sweden's Absolut vodka valued at $6 billion.
"We are very interested in Absolut, and the feasibility will be linked to the level of interest," chief executive Paul Walsh said.
Mr Walsh added that he can see solutions to any possible anti-trust problems arising and that the potential of the vodka brand will only be known when financial details are released.
"We can see solutions in all jurisdictions but the complexity will vary from market to market," he said of his interest in the world's number two vodka Absolut. Diageo already owns the best selling brand Smirnoff.
Sweden has pledged to sell off Absolut's parent, the 90-year old state-owned Vin & Sprit (V&S), and four players are keen on buying V&S, including Pernod Ricard, Fortune Brands, privately owned Bacardi and Diageo.
Absolut is one of the biggest and fastest growing spirits brands in the world and is seen as the crown jewel of Sweden's largest-ever push to privatise state assets. Around half of Absolut vodka is now sold in the United States.