RIMINI, Italy, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Entrepreneur Roberto Colaninno said on Tuesday that 27 banks had agreed to back his takeover of Piaggio, the maker of the scooters that have buzzed down the Italy's streets for decades.
Colaninno also told a news conference in northern Italy that the deal with the banks could be finalised next week.
"The 27 banks we have contacted have agreed to be part of the deal and should be ready by next week," he said.
No financial details were disclosed.
A source close to the deal told Reuters in July that Piaggio's creditor banks would own nearly 40 percent of the firm by converting debts into stock while Colaninno would hold a slightly smaller stake but a majority of voting shares.
Though Vespa sales have been strong in new markets such as Britain and the United States lately, they have stagnated in Italy, the unlisted company's most important market.
Controlled by Deutsche Morgan Grenfell , Piaggio, which also makes small transport vehicles, is looking for ways to cut debts of about 400 million euros, sources have said.
Colaninno, who heads the holding company IMMSI , rose to prominence through the shock takeover of Telecom Italia , but control of Italy's leading telecom firm has since been wrested away from him.
He has been in talks to buy a controlling stake in Piaggio since April.
Colaninno also said on Tuesday that his outline of a plan for Piaggio did not involve job losses.