Linklaters, Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells have picked up the lead roles as eyewear brand EssilorLuxottica acquires key competitor GrandVision in a deal worth about €8 billion.

The deal brings French/Italian EssilorLuxottica, whose brands include Oakley and Ray-Ban, an extra 7,200 stores across the world, 37,000 additional employees and €3.7 billion more in annual sales.