Google is expected to receive unconditional approval from European Union regulators next week for its $3.1 billion takeover of ad firm DoubleClick, people familiar with the situation said.

The approval has long been expected because the European Commission decided in January not to object formally to the transaction. The Commission, the EU's top competition watchdog, has never rejected a deal without sending formal objections.

Google DoubleClick Merger Said to Get EU Approval [uk.reuters.com]