Samsung Wants to Buy BlackBerry for $7.5 Billion [Rumour]

Samsung has allegedly approached BlackBerry with a $7.5 billion offer, according to a person familiar with the matter, reports Reuters. The South Korean company seems to be interested in acquiring BlackBerry’s patent portfolio.

After making waves two and a half years ago, it’s back again. Back then, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said that Samsung was either interested in licensing BB10 or buying RIM. However, a lot has changed since then: for example, BlackBerry’s Jack Chen has managed to successfully orchestrate the first half of a two-year turnaround plan.

Samsung has allegedly made a very generous offer, proposing a price range of $13.35 to $15.49 per share, which is at least 38% higher than BlackBerry’s current trading price, Reuters’ source revealed.

That could mean a final purchase price of $6 billion or $7.5 billion for BlackBerry, assuming the conversion of $1.25 billion worth of convertible debt. The news pushed BlackBerry’s stock price up.

Samsung and BlackBerry announced a strategic partnership earlier in November 2014, jointly targeting the enterprise market.

Update: BlackBerry has commented on the matter in a press release:

BlackBerry is aware of certain press reports published today with respect to a possible offer by Samsung to purchase BlackBerry. BlackBerry has not engaged in discussions with Samsung with respect to any possible offer to purchase BlackBerry. BlackBerry’s policy is not to comment on rumors or speculation, and accordingly it does not intend to comment further.