Israeli police are expected to fly to London to question Soviet-born billionaire Len Blavatnik in relation to the corruption charges facing Benjamin Netanyahu.

Officials want to ask Mr Blavatnik whether Mr Netanyahu was involved in the sale of a TV channel to the billionaire.

Mr Blavatnik, who owns Israel’s Channel 10, will be quizzed by police on whether Mr Netanyahu tried to assist in the purchase between the billionaire and the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes.

According to a Channel 2 report, Mr Netanyahu is suspected of being involved in a deal with Mr Mozes that would have impeded rival newspaper Israel Hayom. In return he is believed to have expected positive coverage from Yedioth Ahronoth.

The report alleges that Mr Netanyahu had approached a number of other businessmen to try and secure a deal for them to buy or invest in Yedioth. They include Australian billionaire James Packer, Oracle chief Larry Ellison, and Mattias Dopfner, the chief executive of Germany’s Axel Springer publishing group.

Mr Mozes is believed to have met with several of the potential buyers and Arnon Milchan, an Israeli Hollywood producer, is said to have played a key role in connecting Mr Netanyahu and the businessmen.

A second corruption probe against the prime minister also features Mr Milchan, who reportedly sent Mr Netanyahu hundreds of thousands of shekels’ worth of cigars and champagne.

The prime minister denies any wrongdoing.