Aug 28 (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc andVodafone Group Plc have restarted talks over a possiblebuyout of the British firm's stake in their U.S. wireless jointventure, the Wall Street Journal said, a deal that is expectedto cost Verizon more than $100 billion.
Verizon is in discussions with banks about the tens ofbillions of dollars in loans it would need to complete the deal,the Journal said, citing a person familiar with the matter.
But it added that it was not immediately clear whether thetwo companies had resolved disagreements over price or whetherVerizon has put forward a specific offer, the financial dailyadded.
Reuters reported first in April that Verizon had hiredadvisers for a possible $100 billion bid and was contemplating aroughly 50:50 cash and stock offer for the 45 percent stake inVerizon Wireless it does not already own.
At the time, most analysts said the roughly $100 billionfigure contemplated by Verizon was too low and that the value of the Vodafone holding was nearer $120 billion.
The Journal said significant shifts in financial markets,such as rising rates as well as changes in the U.S cellphonebusiness had brought the two sides closer together. Verizoncould borrow $50 billion or more to cover the cash component ofa deal, the Journal said, citing people familiar with thematter.
A Verizon spokesman declined to comment on the report whileVodafone was unavailable for comment outside regular businesshours.
Vodafone Chairman Gerard Kleisterlee said last month thecompany would seriously consider any offer for its stake inVerizon Wireless if it offered more value to investors than thecurrent status quo.