Linklaters has scooped the lead role advising the Robert Tchenguiz and Baugur consortium on its £1.1bn bid for Somerfield, after knocking Allen & Overy (A&O) into a secondary role when the two clients joined forces this week.

Linklaters had already been advising the Tchenguiz-led consortium before rival bidder Baugur combined its bid with the consortium, which also includes Barclays Capital and private equity house Apax.