While Wall Street is buzzing over the historic proposed merger between Germany’s Deutsche Boerse and the NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX), there is also speculation that CME Group Inc. (NYSE: CME) might also make a bid for the New York exchange.

CME operates the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade and the New York Mercantile Exchange.

However, at least on the record, CME has been noncommittal on the topic.

Speaking on CNBC late yesterday, Terry Duffy, the executive chairman of CME Group, said “we obviously look at the transactions that are taking place throughout the world whether it's Toronto and LSE or Deutsche Boerse and NYSE. But I just want to reemphasize we are really focused just on our core business.”

When asked if he had spoken to NYSE chairman Duncan Niederauer about any such deal, Duffy replied, “We don’t comment on rumors of M&A. But to be honest, I have not spoken to Duncan.”

Benn Steil, Acting Director & Economist with Council on Foreign Relations, told CNBC that he thinks the NYSE-Deutsche merger is far from a done deal because the parts may be greater than the sum.

Steil said he expects other players in US would like to get their hands on pieces of the NYSE Euronext, including perhaps CME and even NASDAQ, citing that it would almost certainly be interested in the NYSE’s US cash equity business and their Euronext equity business.”

However, Duffy commented “I don't know how realistic it would be to take that company apart (referring to NYSE Euronext).

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