I'm pretty confused by this. Wouldn't a takeover of the short-haul operations just be a takeover of the company as they don't have any long haul business?
Also, they don't have any long-haul aircraft and the MAX's won't offer them much more range.
Jet2 don't seem to be keen on acquisitions, so maybe EasyJet, Thomas Cook, TUI, Ryanair or Norwegian?
I don't think the story leaked today is the full picture...