The EUR 7.6 bn bid (EUR 26.50 a share) from Dutch company ABN AMRO for Italian bank ANTONVENETA has been extended until 22 July 2005 (it was scheduled to close on Wednesday). ABN AMRO has decided to resist the defence organised around its Italian homologue by BANCA POPOLARE ITALIANA which, supported by Italian promoters, already controls 40% of the capital. The Dutch company only holds 25%. In a separate bid, ABN AMRO has bought the British PRIORY group of rehabilitation clinics for £875 mil (EUR 1.29 bn). Priory's patients include a series of celebrities. It has 1700 beds at 40 different clinics.