Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is nearing the completion of a deal with private-equity firm Sycamore Partners to take itself private for around $10 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported late Monday, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.

The deal could be completed as early as Thursday, the report said.

Under the terms of the purported deal, Sycamore would pay $11.30 to $11.40 per share in cash, the report said.

Sycamore will likely maintain the core US retail drugstore operation but sell off other parts of the company, the report said.

Walgreens and Sycamore did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' requests for comment.

Walgreens shares were up more than 5% in Tuesday's premarket activity.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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