Hobbit, yes it IS the first time Wyloo has implied they would sell which is my point and a major shift in the process.
Wyloo has also stated essentially that they will beat BHP price up to the value price they have established. Seems to imply BHP retail offer would have to be at least Wyloo's value price for them to win outright otherwise Wyloo would just bid higher. That's essentially why the bidding between BHP and Wyloo is done. Wyloo has said to BHP if you want my shares $X is the price, take it or leave it.
BHP says they don't need Wyloo shares to be successful but seems the only way that would happen is if BHP offers retail above Wyloo's value price so why wouldn't they just buy out Wyloo then the path to ownership is cleared.