The deal would value Arriva, which operates red London buses and train services in the UK, at around 1.6 billion euros ($1.68 billion) including debt, the sources said.
However, while the deal is nearing final stages, the sources cautioned that the timing could still shift.
Deutsche Bahn said in an emailed statement: "We want to sell DB Arriva by the end of 2024.
Reuters reported in April that British transport company FirstGroup (FGP.L) and I Squared had been weighing competing bids for parts of Arriva.
Its annual sales rose to 4.2 billion euros in 2022, making up 7.5% of Deutsche Bahn's total revenue.
Persons:
Andrew Couldridge, Emma, Victoria Farr, Andres Gonzalez, Markus Wacket, Susan Fenton
Organizations:
Arriva, REUTERS, Squared Capital, Deutsche, Reuters, Financial Times, Deutsche Bahn, DB Arriva, London's, Cross Country, Deutsche Bahn's, Thomson
Locations:
Harlow , Britain, FRANKFURT, LONDON, Miami