Eidos moves to unmask "secret investor"

British publisher Eidos has reportedly demanded that the buyer behind the acquisition of a 5.1 per cent stake in the company last week be named, as rumours about a possible takeover of the company gathered pace in the city.

London-based broker GNI last week acquired 7.2 million shares in Eidos - an investment of over Ã'£12 million - but has not revealed who ordered the acquisition of the stake, leading to speculation that a hostile takeover could be on the cards.

Rumours within the city point to Robert Bonnier, former chief executive of Scoot.com, as the man behind the acquisition. Bonnier has previously used his financial clout to buy his way into important positions at a number of large companies.

This isn't the first time in recent months that Eidos' share movements have come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, investment group Schroders bought out a huge stake in the publisher over the course of a number of acquisitions - and the group now owns over 22 per cent, by far the largest single shareholding in Eidos.

At the time, these moves also triggered speculation of a takeover bid - but financial experts were adamant that Schroders' move was purely an investment.