Tokyo - Japanese electronics giant Panasonic has secured the takeover of competitor Sanyo with deals to buy stakes in the smaller firm held by US investment bank Goldman Sachs and two Japanese investment firms, the financial newspaper Nikkei reported Thursday.

Sanyo's management already supported the takeover last month.

Thursday's news, when confirmed by Panasonic and the Sanyo stakeholders, represents the final hurdle for the takeover. Formal offers are expected to be made Friday for the remaining Sanyo shares. (dpa)