WebProNews

As things stand, Microsoft claims to be done negotiating with Yahoo.  But Redmond's best-known corporation has announced that it is willing to reenter acquisition talks if Carl Icahn wins his proxy fight.

An official press release went beyond ambiguity and rumors by stating, "Despite working since January 31 of this year, as well as in the early part of last year, we have never been able to reach an agreement in a timely way on acceptable terms with the current management and Board of Directors at Yahoo!.  We have concluded that we cannot reach an agreement with them."

 Carl Icahn

It then continued, "We confirm, however, that after the shareholder election Microsoft would be interested in discussing with a new board a major transaction with Yahoo!, such as either a transaction to purchase the 'Search' function with large financial guarantees or, in the alternative, purchasing the whole company."

And although further details (dates and/or prices) aren't being publicized, Microsoft revealed that it has already been chatting with Icahn for about a week.

Expect Yahoo's deal with Google to get tossed aside if Icahn has his way; Microsoft's always been of primary interest to the billionaire.  Also count on a lot of smaller shareholders supporting Icahn's effort, as the confirmation of a Microsoft-Icahn relationship caused Yahoo's stock to shoot up by about nine percent.