David Bowie is reportedly set to leave EMI.

The legendary rocker’s deal with the troubled label – which is in the middle of being auctioned by Citigroup – came to an end in January after 15 years and he is now said to be in talks with both Universal and Sony Music, the latter of whom currently hold the rights to everything he has recorded since 1995.

The ‘Ziggy Stardust’ hitmaker – who could also decide not to sign with another company – signed a licensing deal with EMI in 1997 allowing the company the rights to release 25 of his albums from 1969 and 1990 and in return Bowie received over 25 per cent of royalties from sales in the US.

The news comes just weeks after Robbie Williams quit EMI.

The ‘Angels’ singer had been with the record company for his entire solo career – which began in 1997 – and he famously signed an £80 million deal with them in 2002 which covered all aspects of his career, including giving him greater artistic control.

But he has now joined rivals Universal Music and will release his new album, his first solo material since 2009’s ‘Reality Killed the Video Star’, through the company in 2012.

Robbie is taking a break from Take That – following his successful reunion with the band – and has headed into the studio to lay down new tracks.

He said: “I’m really thrilled to be joining the Universal family at what I think is the most exciting time in my career.”