There is fresh speculation about the future of the Asian assets of big US-based insurer AIG.

Newspaper reports out of London have suggested that UK insurer Prudential is seeking to acquire AIG’s Asian assets, trading as AIA.

The reports said, in turn, UK insurance entrepreneur Clive Cowdery had drawn up plans to acquire Prudential’s UK business.

The latest speculation followed reports out of the US that Metlife was the front-running bidder for AIG unit Alicio.

It is understood that the operations of AIA in Australia were not affected by or connected to the rumoured transactions.