Singing superstar Celine Dion is part of a consortium considering a bid for fabled ice hockey side the Montreal Canadiens, it was reported here on Thursday.

Dion, as well as press baron Pierre Karl Peladeau and Seagram drinks heir Stephen Bronfman, form the group which wants to purchase the 24-time Stanley Cup champions from owner George Gillett who bought the club nine years ago for 185 million US dollars, the Globe and Mail reported.

"There is a group bid being discussed, and it's clear that Gillett is very willing to sell if the price is right," a banker, who is helping line up financing for potential bidders, was quoted as saying.

Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte dropped out of the bidding for the team last week, according to sources in the financial community.

The Canadiens, who have made it through to the 2009 NHL play-offs, were recently valued at 335 million dollars by Forbes magazine.

Source: AFP