PARIS, July 9 (Reuters) - Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and his partners are prepared to hire former Metro (B4B.DE) and Lactalis executive Philippe Palazzi as the new boss of French supermarket chain Casino (CASP.PA), should their refinancing offer for the debt-laden company succeed, Les Echos reported on Sunday. Kretinsky could not immediately be reached for comment outside working hours. Kretinsky's offer is valid until Monday. It faces a rivalling offer led by telecoms maverick Xavier Niel, investment banker Matthieu Pigasse and businessman Moez-Alexandre Zouari, which Casino said had also been extended to the same day. Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Philippe Palazzi, Les Echos, Kretinsky, Palazzi, Xavier Niel, Matthieu Pigasse, Moez, Alexandre Zouari, Tassilo Hummel, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Metro, LinkedIn, Thomson Locations: Czech