Apollo Global Management, LLC (NYSE:APO) is talking to bankers about lining up debt to buy all or part of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE)'s GE Capital Aviation Services, Inc., which could be worth as much as $40 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Apollo has met with lenders to secure about $30 billion in financing to purchase GE Capital Aviation Services as potential buyers circle one of the ailing manufacturer's crown jewels, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter isn't public. No deal is imminent and GE may opt to keep the business, they said.

The unit has drawn interest from other potential buyers, they said. Representatives for GE and Apollo declined to comment.