Renault could restart its merger talks with Alliance partner Nissan ahead of a bid to acquire the FCA Group, according to reports in the Financial Times.

Coming four months after the arrest former Renault chief executive and chairman of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, for financial misconduct, the development would mark a change of strategic direction for the brands.

The FT said that its sources had indicated the recent creation of a new Alliance board led by Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard had improved confidence that merger plans can advance, adding that the company would then pursue a further acquisition.

On Monday (March 25), the newspaper reported that FCA chairman John Elkann had begun a renewed push for a “tie-up” with another brand, with Peugeot muted as a potential suitor.

But sources told the FT that Ghosn had previously held talks about merging Renault with Fiat Chrysler only for the move to be scuppered by the French government.

Renault owns 43% of Nissan while the French state has a 15% stake in the French carmaker and double voting rights.