Universal’s acquisition of EMI Music will be given the go-ahead by the EC this week, according to the Sunday Times.

The newspaper reports that Universal will be forced to sell Parlophone – ‘the record label behind Kylie Minogue and the Beatles’ – as part of the deal.

However, according to a leaked memo from EMI boss Roger Faxon earlier this year, Universal intends only to divest Parlophone in the UK, whilst keeping The Beatles catalogue.

Other national newspaper reports suggested that the EC’s antitrust chief Joaquin Almunia, the European Commission’s anti-trust chief, is expected to give the deal the green light ahead of a commissioners’ meeting on Thursday, with a formal public announcement following later this month.

A key vote by European national agencies is expected to commence this week. If positive, it says the EC could OK the deal as soon as September 19. [MusicWeek]