Randstad Holding nv received clearance from the European Commission for its acquisition of Monster Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: MWW). Randstad reported the clearance is the last regulatory approval required with respect to its tender offer for outstanding shares of common stock of Monster. Separately, MediaNews Group Inc. announced yesterday that it commenced its own tender offer for a further 10% stake in Monster as part of its bid to prevent the Randstad acquisition.

Randstad reported it now expects the transaction to be completed within a few business days after a majority of Monster’s shares are tendered. The tender offer is scheduled to expire at midnight New York time on Friday, unless further extended. Randstad confirmed its full and final offer price of $3.40 will not be increased.

MediaNews is offering $3.70 per share, but it plans to purchase only 8,925,815 shares, raising its 11.5% stake to 21.5%. The offer is contingent on the termination of the Randstad offer and the Randstad merger agreement as well as the completion of MediaNews consent solicitation, which asks shareholders to approve a new slate of board members proposed by MediaNews.

The tender offer was announced last week by MediaNews.

Monster said tender offers such as the one by MediaNews was a common tactic by activist shareholders and encouraged shareholders to allow the Randstad deal to proceed, according to information included in a US Securities and Exchange filing this week.