Private hospitals chain Spire Healthcare has revealed talks over a possible £1 billion takeover by its second largest shareholder. Spire is in early stage discussions with Toscafund Asset Management over a 250p-a-share proposed cash bid, which would value the hospitals group at £1.01 billion. Toscafund already owns 18% of Spire, while its largest shareholder, Mediclinic, owns nearly 30%. Shares in FTSE 250-listed Spire surged 45% in morning trading on Thursday, taking its shares to nearly 220p each. Spire said the talks over the approach follow a number of previous proposals from Toscafund as it has led a strategic review of the hospitals firm, which was launched in September last year. Spire said: “Over multiple years, Spire Healthcare has made significant progress in strengthening care quality, diversifying revenue streams and driving efficiencies. “The board remains highly confident in Spire Healthcare’s standalone strategy and the value creation opportunity.…