EUROPE - Will Ahold and The Delhaize Group have a deal in the next seven days? Maybe.

As we previously reported, the two retail chains stated that they could settle on a merger agreement by the end of the month, which is rapidly winding down. And while no one has signed on the dotted line just yet, they are in the final stages of negotiations according to a press release.

“Ahold and Delhaize Group would like to stress that while they are in the final stages of negotiations, no definitive agreement on a transaction has been reached,” Ahold said in the statement, adding that it expects to issue a press release on the matter in due course.

The Dutch financial media group Het Financieele Dagblad said that the deal would be structured 60/40, with Ahold gaining a 60 percent stake and Delhaize a 40 percent stake, together creating a group among the 10 largest U.S. retailers. It is estimated the two would be worth about 23 billion euros ($25.73 billion), possessing 6,600 stores worldwide.

According to Reuters, the group, while large, would still be behind market leaders such like Wal-Mart, Costco and Kroger.

A time frame for when Ahold and Delhaize will issue a full release on the topic was not given, however AndNowUKnow will continue to update you on the story as it develops.