Allen & Overy (A&O), Herbert Smith Freehills, Linklaters and Clifford Chance (CC) are among the firms taking roles on BSkyB’s acquisition of Sky Italia and a 57% stake in Sky Deutschland from 21st Century Fox.

The deal, which BskyB is funding through $8.6bn (£6.4bn) in cash and the sale of its 21% stake in National Geographic Channels International, is also set to involve 21st Century Fox’s purchase of $900m (£670m) of additional shares in the company, to retain its 39.1% stake.