Italian Milanese businessman Paolo Alazraki confirmed Thursday that he is leading a group of investors which could make an offer to buy troubled airline Alitalia, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Alazraki, an expert in international financial markets, said there were currently 16 investors interested in the possibility of taking the controlling stake in Alitalia that the Italian Treasury wants to sell.

He said he and his partners had not yet raised all the funds needed for an offer but was confident that as soon as an industrial plan has been put together "investors will queue up".

Alazraki was recently reported to be the shadowy investor who attempted to organize a meeting with Alitalia unions to discuss making the airline profitable again.

Lawyers handling that initiative gave up, apparently because unions were unenthusiastic, according to ANSA.

Italian Treasury has invited offers of interest for no less than 30.1 percent of the national carrier and all convertible bonds in the state's possession. Potential buyers have until Jan. 29 to step forward with an industrial plan.

By acquiring over 30 percent of the airline, potential buyers will by law be obliged to make a public offer for all Alitalia shares on the market.

The Treasury currently holds 49.9 percent of Alitalia and may sell all of it if the right offer is made.

Alitalia, which has a market capitalization of 1.37 billion euros, has not made an operating profit in the last five years.