Google may buy 5% AOL for $1 bn

Internet search major Google is likely to pick up a 5 per cent stake in media giant Time Warner's AOL for about $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

WSJ said that Time Warner' AOL and Google have entered into exclusive negotiations about deepening their advertising partnership, effectively shutting out Microsoft Corp, which has been in talks with AOL since January.

The newspaper reported that Time Warner had apparently ruled out the deal with Microsoft in favour of a partnership with and a stake sale to Google, with which it has an advertising tie-up.

WSJ said that the deal is likely to be sealed soon.