Housebuilder, who is sounding out private equity firms, could use proceeds from sale of Taylor Morrison to cut £1bn debt pile

There is renewed speculation that Taylor Wimpey will sell its North American housing division, according to the Daily Mail.

Shares in the housebuilder edged up to 43.5p yesterday in a flurry of heavy trading before falling to 41p this morning, the paper reports.

The company may use any proceeds from the sale of the Taylor Morrison business to cut its £1bn debt pile.

During its complex refinancing discussions the company is understood to have sounded out private equity companies about the possibility of a sale but sources said the firms were “too greedy” in what they were prepared to pay.