The prospects of a tie up between Andersen Legal and KLegal drew closer yesterday as two of Andersen’s big five suitors pulled out of rescue talks amid expectations that KPMG will absorb Andersen’s European and Asian arms.

The public decision of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Ernst & Young to withdraw from rescue talks, which were confirmed on Monday (11 March), leaves Andersen with only KPMG as a serious contender.