Market Chatter: BT Group Said to Negotiate Potential Payment Plan for TalkTalk Debt to Ares Management

12:46 AM EDT, 10/05/2026 (MT Newswires) -- BT Group (BT-A.L) is negotiating a payment plan for TalkTalk Telecom Group's debts owed to alternative investment manager Ares Management, Sky News reported Sunday, citing sources close to the situation. The sources said Ares is demanding urgent resolution from BT's board, offering options like an upfront payment worth multimillion pounds sterling or taking control of TalkTalk's retail operations, the report noted. The London-listed telecommunications company, which is expected to secure control of TalkTalk following a pre-pack insolvency process, has been engaged in talks with Ares, which became the largest creditor of the British broadband supplier, having invested over 380 million pounds sterling since 2024, according to the report. BT, Ares and TalkTalk did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MT Newswires. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)