Yahoo still keen on a deal with Microsoft

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Despite searching high and low for an alternative to Microsoft’s takeover attempt, Yahoo’s embattled chief executive has surprised many by stating that a deal with the software giant is still the ideal option.

Speaking at the Web 2.0 Summit hours after rival Google scrapped plans for an advertising joint venture with Yahoo, Jerry Yang said he remains open to selling the internet company to Microsoft, but only at a good price.

"People who know me know I don't have an ego about remaining independent versus not remaining independent," the Yahoo chief executive told the gathering.

Yang also said he remains "open-minded" about selling Yahoo's search business to Microsoft, but noted that there was no "new news" on talks between the two companies.

Microsoft had offered to buy Yahoo's search business after withdrawing an offer for the whole company in May.

Yang declined to comment on Yahoo's discussions with Time Warner about buying its AOL division.

Instead, the Yahoo co-founder spelled out his vision for the company, which includes becoming a one-stop consumer brand that lets people access what they want on the internet.

Yang also said he was disappointed at Google's decision to walk away from the search pact. The two companies signed the deal in June when Yahoo was looking for ways to build an independent growth strategy.

The search deal was expected to add $800 million (£500 million) in annual revenue for Yahoo.

But Google, concerned that the US Department of Justice would block the agreement on antitrust grounds, decided to withdraw from the partnership on Wednesday.

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