Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch, which worked on Debenhams' £950m (€2.6bn) cut-price initial public offering in May, have been appointed bookrunners on the £2.5bn listing of retailer Sports World, which could become the biggest British listing.

A source close to the deal said Merrill Lynch will be sole bookrunner and Credit Suisse and Citigroup will be co-lead managers on the London listing of Sports World.