AMSTERDAM-CB Richard Ellis Investors has thrown its hat into the ring in talks to buy ING Real Estate Investment Management, the world’s largest property fund manager, UK-based PropertyWeek.com reports. CBRE’s investment management division began exclusive talks with ING about the sale of ING REIM after Jones Lang LaSalle pulled out of the bidding process last week, according to PropertyWeek.com. A Los Angeles-based spokeswoman for CBRE Investors declines to comment.

Since the Dutch-based financial services giant hired Morgan Stanley this past May to handle a possible sale of the REIM unit, other companies who reportedly have eyed the unit include Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Vornado Realty Trust. A deal resulting in a sale is far from a certainty, though.

In a statement issued Monday, ING confirms that it’s “conducting an evaluation” of the REIM unit within its banking business, and that it is “in discussions with several parties on a possible sale of parts of the ING Real Estate Investment Management businesses.” However, according to the statement, “These contacts may or may not lead to one or more transactions. Any speculation on scope, pricing and conditions of possible transactions would be premature. Any further announcement on this matter will be made if and when appropriate.”

Click here for the PropertyWeek.com article.