Inspecs will have to wait a little longer to find out if eyewear giant Safilo wants to buy either two of its German divisions or all of the UK-based company.

Meeting Thursday’s late afternoon deadline to maintain its interest, the rival Italian manufacturer said last month’s initial approach for the potential acquisition of the Eschenbach Group and BoDe businesses and, subsequently, “two non-binding possible cash offers to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital” were rejected by Inspecs.

But Safilo confirmed that it is “continuing to assess its options, including the possibility of making a revised offer to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Inspecs”, it said.

However, there was no news on two other separate, unsolicited purchase proposals from H2 Equity Partners, and a Risk Capital Partners/Ian Livingstone Consortium. Last month, they too had set out non-binding possible cash offers alongside the possibility of an alternative offer “including unlisted securities to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Inspecs”.

But a required “firm intention” deadline for H2 and the Consortium looks to have passed quietly and there has been no mention of an extension. And given Salifo’s continuing interest, an opposing bid looks unlikely.