Sky News has learnt that Google is in talks with US buyout firm, Permira about making a combined offer for Dunnhumby, the sale of which Tesco hopes will help to rebuild its battered balance sheet. It was unclear on Thursday whether Google’s interest was being handled through its main corporate entity or through another unit such as Google Capital, a growth equity fund backed by the US-based company. Either way, Google’s association with the auction is likely to add renewed competitive tension to the process.