** Shares of footwear firm Skechers SKX.N up ~26% at $62.17 premarket
** Co says it had agreed to be taken private by investment firm 3G Capital in $9.4 billion deal
** Adds, 3G Capital - buyout firm controlled by Brazilian billionaire financier Jorge Paulo Lemann - has offered to pay $63 per SKX's share in cash; 28% premium to stock's close on Friday, as per Reuters calculations
** Co states transaction is expected to close in third quarter of 2025
** Notes, SKX will continue to be led by CEO Robert Greenberg, President Michael Greenberg, and the rest of the current management team
** Up to last close, stock down 26.6% YTD
(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru)
((AnujaBharat.Mistry@thomsonreuters.com))