U.S. Steel, India's Essar eye Russian steel maker Severstal's American mills

U.S. Steel Corp. and India's Essar Steel are among five companies interested in the North American steel mills put up for sale by Severstal, The State Journal reported referring to American Metal Market daily metals news service.

The media has reported that Severstal, Russia's largest steel producer, is likely to sell its Severstal Sparrows Point in Maryland, Severstal Warren in Ohio and Severstal Wheeling in West Virginia.

American Metal Market quoted sources familiar with the negotiations as saying that U.S. Steel's interest is limited to Severstal Wheeling assets, while Essar is interested only in Severstal's Sparrows Point plant.

The other bidders are financier Ira Rennert, owner of Renco Group; Aurora Capital Partners LP, and Optima Fund Management LP working with Ukrainian business conglomerate Metinvest Holding TOV.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.