Canadian payments processor Nuvei to evaluate offers to go private

(Reuters) - Canadian payments technology company Nuvei said on Sunday it was evaluating proposals that would take the company private, after reports said that private equity firm Advent International was in advanced talks to buy the company.

Nuvei, which has received financial backing from actor Ryan Reynolds, said its board has formed a special committee to evaluate "expressions of interest" in the company, including a going-private deal, and any other strategic alternatives.

The Wall Street Journal first reported about Advent’s talks with Nuvei on Saturday. Reuters confirmed the news later, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Nuvei did not give any details about the offers it has received.

The company said it has engaged in discussions with third parties for a potential transaction involving continued significant ownership by certain holders of multiple voting shares, including founder and CEO Phil Fayer.

Nuvei said it has not entered into any agreements or understandings to effect a privatization deal, and has not decided at this time whether to pursue one.

Both Toronto- and New York-listed shares of Nuvei have fallen since the company acquired Paya Holdings for $1.3 billion last year. In April last year, short seller Spruce Point unveiled a short position in Nuvei, alleging the acquisition was dragging its business.

Two months later, Spruce Point said it was no longer holding a short position after Nuvei's stock price had fallen to its target range.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Mrigank Dhaniwala)