Blackstone nears $2.5 billion deal to buy software developer Civica

black stone is in advanced talks to buy Civica in a deal valuing the U.K.-based software developer at nearly $2.5 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter.

The merger, if concluded, could be announced as early as Wednesday. It would be Blackstone’s latest bet in the UK following its recent purchases of two hotels, one in Birmingham and another outside Edinburgh, and a project to build affordable housing across the UK.