Terms were not disclosed, but people close to the deal put the price at more than $100 million.

Sources close to the deal said the price was about $10 million.

As a result, the Americans tried to trim the price by about 15 percent, the people close to the deal said.

People close to the deal said it came down to a matter of price.

"A lot of things can happen on the way to the altar," said someone close to the deal, who asked not to be identified.

A source close to the deal said she paid more than $20 million.

Those close to the deal said that the price was in excess of $350 million.

But the people close to the deal said the talks had been under way for some time and were moving toward conclusion.

American Standard agreed to be bought for $2.6 billion, or $79 a share, people close to the deal said.

Executives close to the deal said no price had been decided.