CHICAGO, (Reuters) - Two potential rival bidders to Bermuda-based Bacardi for the Swedish company that owns the Absolut Vodka brand have expressed interest in acquiring spirit brands but stopped short of confirming an intention to chase an expected $5 to $6 billion sell-off of Vin & Sprit.US wines and spirits groups Fortune Brands and Constellation Brands are regarded as likely bidders for Vin & Sprit, which owns the Absolut brand. On Wednesday the Royal Gazette reported that Bacardi is interested in buying the Swedish state-owned company after Sweden’s government made a proposal to the country’s parliament to approve a sale of the business. Privately-owned Bacardi believes it can raise the expected asking price of $5 billion or more through bank loans.

Jim Beam bourbon group Fortune declined comment on Absolut after many analysts have put them as front-runner. The company already distributes imported Absolut in the United States. Constellation, meanwhile, said the estimated value of Vin & Sprit — as high as $6 billion — was too pricey for it.