Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is reportedly considering a multi-billion dollar investment in Toshiba's chip business, as the Japanese firm looks to cover a $6.5 billion writedown.
Toshiba has put its semiconductor business up for sale to cover losses incurred by its now bankrupt Westinghouse nuclear power business in the US.
One option under consideration is a plan for Toshiba to sell a majority stake in its chip business to US and Japanese interests, which would satisfy the governments of both nations, NHK reports.
The plan is emerging as a potentially more likely option than a total sale after Toshiba's joint-venture partner Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ: WDC) warned that a sale would violate an agreement it has with the Japanese firm.
But if Toshiba does opt to offload its entire business there will be no shortage of buyers. A who's who of the semiconductor industry have been linked with Toshiba, including Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO), Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU), SK Hynix and Western Digital Corp.
A spokesman for Toshiba declined to comment on Apple's reported interest.