MUMBAI, Dec. 18 -- Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is in talks to invest $4.5-5 billion for a 20% stake in Shriram Finance Ltd, multiple sources familiar with the matter said, in what could rank among the largest cross-border deals involving India this year. "The deal is expected to become larger than earlier planned with about a $4.5-4.7 billion investment," one of the people cited above said, adding that the Shriram Finance's board is expected to meet on Friday to discuss the exact structures. A second person added that it could touch $5 billion with the transaction valuing the overall company at $22-25 billion. "The fundraise is expected to be a primary in nature with a fresh issuance of shares," a third person familiar with the matter said. Shriram Finance and MUFG did not immediately respond to Mint's requests for a comment. Shriram Finance informed the exchanges late on Tuesday that its board is scheduled to meet on Friday to consider a proposal to raise funds through a rights issue, preferential allotment, qualified institutional placement, or any other permissible mode. The transaction is expected to be carried out through a fresh issue of equity shares and/or other eligible securities, the company said in the regulatory filing. The potential deal comes in a year marked by some of the largest strategic transactions involving India. Recent big-ticket deals include Emirates NBD's acquisition of a majority stake in RBL Bank in a $3 billion transaction, Tata Motors' $4.5 billion acquisition of Iveco, Capgemini's $3.3 billion buyout of WNS Global Services, and Schneider Electric's $6.4 billion deal involving Lauritz Knudsen Electrical & Automation. Global private equity firm Blackstone acquired a 9.9% stake in Federal Bank for $705 million, while Abu Dhabi-based IHC, through its affiliate Avenir Investment RSC Ltd, bought a 43.46% stake in Samman Capital for $1 billion. The Indo-Japan corridor, in particular, has been active in financial services. Notable transactions include Mizuho's majority investment in Avendus, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp's acquisition of a stake in Yes Bank earlier this year. MUFG's proposed investment in Shriram Finance would add to that momentum....