Reuters reported Friday that Kroger Co., the largest U.S. grocery store, submitted a preliminary takeover bid for rival Albertsons Inc., competing against several private equity firms for the hand of the No. 2 U.S. grocer, sources familiar with the situation said.

Albertsons put itself up for sale in September after struggling against competition from discounters such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Despite its struggles, Albertsons could fetch more than $10 billion, plus the assumption of $6.5 billion of debt, analysts said.

Cincinnati-based Kroger owns Hutchinson-based Dillon Stores Inc., which has four stores in Lawrence.

Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer, David Dillon, is a Kansas University graduate.