Chinese construction giant said to be eyeing up Balfour Beatty

FTSE 250 infrastructure company Balfour Beatty could become the subject of a takeover bid from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), according to reports.

The Sunday Times said it understood that the Chinese construction behemoth has recently contacted figures within the industry to help it decide whether or not to go ahead with an approach.

CCECC, which is a subsidiary of government-backed China Railway Construction Corporation, is believed to be particularly attracted by Balfour's participation in the Crossrail project.

China Railway Construction Corporation is also thought to have been interested in potentially making an offer, the newspaper said.

Last year, Balfour broke off an agreement to merge with Carillion and later sold Parsons Brinckerhoff, its US services operation, in a deal worth £750m.