Accor and HNA Group have surfaced as the first names associated with potential bids to acquire Carlson’s hotel group, according to a Bloomberg news report citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Carlson in January asked Morgan Stanley to explore strategic alternatives for its hotel group, including strategic partnerships, mergers or a sale.

The Bloomberg report said Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group sale, which includes among others the Radisson, Country Inns & Suites and Park Plaza brands, could fetch about US$2 billion and could transact in the first half of 2016.

Carlson answer is a “no comment” response. Paris-based Accor is still in the process of finalizing its US$2.9 billion acquisition of FRHI, while China’s HNA has been active in the hotel space, recently taking a position in Red Lion Hotels Corp. and holds a big stake in NH Hoteles, Madrid.