Paris is looking at opening up the share capital of Areva, the French state-owned nuclear champion, to Middle Eastern investment funds in an attempt to reinforce its political influence and the company’s business prospects in the region.

Exploratory talks have been held about the potential for sovereign wealth funds to take minority stakes of 1 to 5 per cent in Areva, people close to the subject said. No decision has yet been taken, but the possible shift by Paris is part of a wider review of the future of Areva, which is in urgent need of new capital to take advantage of the global nuclear revival.