(Reuters) - BlackRock has a handshake deal to buy private credit group HPS Investment Partners, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The final deal value would be closer to $12 billion, which offers a significant premium over HPS's post-IPO valuation of $10 billion, the report said, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

BlackRock had a verbal agreement to acquire a private credit manager, HPS Investment Partners. The deal was first reported by the Financial Times, stating that the value of the deal would be closer to $12 billion. This would give HPS a higher premium as compared to a post-IPO scenario, which would only give it a valuation of $10 billion.

BlackRock Inc. is close to an agreement to buy private credit group HPS Investment Partners, as the world’s largest asset manager tries to compete in the fast-growing alternatives space, the Financial Times reported.