The owner of the AA, the roadside assistance group, is understood to prefer a public float of the company, rather than its disposal via a trade sale, as has been speculated upon of late.

The AA and Saga’s five-year marriage is in danger of coming to an end after its owner launched a strategic review, it was reported today.

Saga and the AA unveiled surprise plans for a £6.2bn (€9.2bn) merger today, creating one of the UK's largest private equity-owned companies.