German drugmaker Bayer AG could reach a deal to acquire U.S. competitor Monsanto as early as this week, said Bloomberg sources.
Bayer announced a sweetened offer of $127.50 a share, or $56 billion, seeking to end the three-plus months of price-related negotiations. Sources say Monsanto has been pushing for a price closer to $130 per share.
While the deal will create the world’s biggest seed and pesticide business, Bayer investors have expressed fears that Bayer management will lose focus on the pharma business in the process of integrating Monsanto.
Read the Bloomberg coverage