MetLife appears interested in buying an American International Group’s international life insurance unit for between $14 billion and $15 billion.

MetLife, the nation’s largest publicly traded life insurer, is seeking to purchase American Life Insurance Co., which has about 19 million customers for its life insurance and retirement plan products in 54 countries, according to Reuters, which cited sources familiar with the matter.

Both companies’ officials declined comment on the rumored talks and possible sale.

AIG has been selling off units since September 2007, when the U.S. government started providing it some of the nearly $180 billion in bailout funds.

Selling Alico, which along with its American International Assurance Co. unit were put into special purpose vehicles late last year, could help it pay back up to $9 billion it owes the government, according to published reports.

Last month, MetLife CEO Robert Henrikson said the company was interested in acquisitions as a means of growth.