Bloomberg reports that Bayer AG is considering purchasing Monsanto Co. in a deal that would create the world’s largest seed and farm chemicals supplier.
The German firm has held preliminary discussions internally and with advisers about buying Monsanto, which has a market value of about $43 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the deliberations are private.
Bayer, which is valued at about 79 billion euros ($90 billion), has discussed how to finance a deal including potential asset sales, the people said. No final decision has been made and the Leverkusen-based company could decide against a bid or pursue other transactions with Monsanto, including joint ventures or asset sales, the people said.
Representatives for Bayer and Monsanto declined to comment.
