Mathias Döpfner, KKR Said to Near Deal on Axel Springer Split

German billionaire Mathias Döpfner and KKR are nearing a deal to split up the media giant Axel Springer, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The parties could make an announcement about the planned split as soon as this week, the people said, asking not to be identified as the talks are private. The deal, which was first reported by the Financial Times, could value the whole company at €13.5 billion ($15 billion), including more than €10 billion for the classifieds business.

Mathias Dopfner

Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

The parties are still hammering out final details and the talks could be delayed or fall ...