Linklaters has secured what promises to be a highly lucrative role after being called in by South African gold miner Gold Fields to advise on its defence of Harmony Gold’s hostile £4.5bn takeover bid.

The bid, which would create the world’s biggest gold producer, sees US firm Hogan & Hartson acting as global counsel to Harmony with Linklaters advising Gold Fields. Unsolicited bids, which are extremely rare, are typically complex and lucrative for advisers.