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SINCE private equity powerhouse Apollo abandoned takeover bids for Wood Group and THG earlier this month, deal talk in the City now has more than a hint of scepticism.

This week will be a crunch point, with socalled ‘put up or shut up’ (PUSU) offer deadlines for two FTSE 250 firms. These require bidders to make a formal offer or step back for six months.

A consortium that includes CVC is circling payment group Network International, with a PUSU on Thursday, while Swedish private equity house EQT has until Friday to lay out its plans for animal drugs maker Dechra Pharmaceuticals.

All eyes will be on these potential private equity buyers in what is otherwise a relatively quiet, four-day week. No pressure.