Liberty Global plc (NasdaqGS:LBTY.A) is putting the final touches on an acquisition of Ziggo N.V. (ENXTAM:ZIGGO), according to people with knowledge of the matter. Liberty Global, controlled by U.S. billionaire John Malone, and Ziggo aim to announce a friendly deal as early as the middle of January, and are hammering out a final acquisition price and other terms, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private negotiations. Ziggo spokesman Martijn Jonker declined to comment on talks with Liberty Global and referred queries to a December press release the company issued that confirmed the negotiations.

Liberty Global spokesman Marcus Smith also declined to comment on the matter.