This is the second set of ESI Media results released this week.

ESI Media had not provided a comment at the time of publication.

However, it is not known if either publisher has gone as far as holding official talks with ESI Media, the parent company of the i.

Steve Auckland, who became ESI Media's chief executive in September 2014, said: After nine months in the job I can see reasons for real optimism.

An ESI Media press release refers to Auckland's "vast experience, strong leadership and proven track record in both the free and paid for newspaper markets."