Ubisoft had previously expressed interests in the firm's assets.

Now sources tell us it is already in lengthy discussions with the firm (and presumably its new owners at Clearlake investments) to forge a deal.

Price, however, is the obvious clincher - nose-tappers say that Ubisoft is after a bargain buy, and is prepared to hold-out until THQ is forced to sell off specific assets, as happened to now-defunct Midway when it went into bankruptcy four years ago.

If successful in the overall acquisition, though, Ubisoft would take over five studios and gain the rights to brands such as Saints Row, Company of Heroes, Darksiders, Homefront, Red Faction. Plus it would pick up the deals for games based on WWE and some Warhammer properties - WWE specifically would offer an expansion opportunity for Ubi, finally giving it a decent stake in the sports genre.

It'd be up to the French firm which of those it keeps going alongside the likes of Assassin's Creed, Just Dance, Far Cry, its various Tom Clancy games and many other titles.