Wal-Mart and Carrefour (and others such as investment fund TPG Capital) are reported by Moscow Times to be preparing bid for control of Russian retailer Lenta.

Lenta runs 26 hypermarkets across Russia, has 8 sites under construction, and proposes a plan to open 10-15 new stores a year for the next three years.

The privately owned St. Petersburg-based chain is holding a tender for the sale of a controlling stake. Any buyer is in for a ride if you have been following the shenanigans of the Lenta owners.

Sergei Yushchenko (shown here) was dismissed and then reinstated as CEO of Lenta Ltd this month in a shareholder’s dispute.