(Telecompaper) After denying press reports regarding imminent takeovers, Vodafone and Spain's Masmovil are now exploring the possibility of merging their respective businesses without a sale or acquisition, according to unnamed sources cited by business daily El Economista. Such a move would require setting up a new entity in which Vodafone would hold a majority stake of between 60 and 80 percent, said the report, adding that the UK multinational has previously managed to merge its local businesses in the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand with rival fixed line operators without a cash disbursement.