Charlie Ergen, chief executive of satellite TV provider Dish Network, has reportedly contacted Deutsche Telekom (DT) to express interest about acquiring the German group’s T-Mobile US subsidiary, although no formal offer has been made.

According to Bloomberg sources, Ergen made his move after merger talks between Sprint and T-Mobile US broke down.

The news agency says Ergen might be interested in a deal once the outcome of a November auction of AWS-3 spectrum is known.

Ergen has had his eye on a T-Mobile US deal for “several years”, say Bloomberg sources, and his latest sidling up to Deutsche Telekom should not come as a surprise.

Ergen may well be ruffled, however, by the persistence of French group Iliad to acquire a majority stake in T-Mobile US. Although Iliad’s original offer worth $15 billion ($33 per share) was rejected by Deutsche Telekom as “inadequate”, it’s reportedly in talks with private equity firms about putting together an improved bid.

Deutsche Telekom has reportedly said it would be willing to talk to potential acquirers if offers were made valuing the US business at $35 per share or more.