June 15 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1000 GMT on Thursday:
** Western Digital Corp WDC.O has sought a court injunction to prevent Toshiba Corp 6502.T from selling its chip business without the U.S. firm's consent - a move that threatens to throw the fiercely contested auction into disarray. Chinese Group Yida International Investment has formally expressed interest in Esselunga, Italy's fourth-largest supermarket chain, Italian daily la Repubblica reported. A South Korean private equity syndicate led by Newlake Alliance and JB Asset Management has been named as the preferred bidder in the sale process for troubled Australian steel group Arrium Ltd ARI.AX , a source with direct knowledge of the process told Reuters. British engineering and design consultancy WS Atkins ATKW.L reported its fastest growth in annual profit in at least a decade on Thursday, which could help smooth completion of its takeover by Canadian rival SNC-Lavalin Group SNC.TO . Bain Capital plans to sell up to $400 million worth of shares in Japanese restaurant chain operator Skylark Co Ltd 3197.T , IFR reported , citing a term sheet of the transaction.