The media became aware of the plans of large IT companies to participate in the acquisition of the semiconductor business Toshiba.

As reported by the Bloomberg news agency referring to informed sources, Apple is negotiating to provide $ 3 billion to a consortium led by a private investment company Bain Capital, which is one of the likely buyers of the Toshiba Memory unit (develops and manufactures NAND flash memory chips). In addition, Dell, Seagate Technology and SK Hynix are ready to provide financial assistance.

According to the publication, this support has convinced Toshiba to conclude a memorandum of understanding with this consortium, which, in addition to Bain, includes SK Hynix, the state fund Innovation Network Corporation and the Development Bank of Japan.

Reuters knows that these companies offer 2.4 trillion yen ($ 22 billion) for the purchase of Toshiba Memory, including 200 billion yen, which will go to develop the infrastructure of the company being sold.

According to market observers, the participation of SK Hynix in the purchase of Toshiba Memory may delay the consideration of the transaction by antitrust authorities. South Korean chip maker, although it intends to limit its role in the financing transaction, it is unclear whether the company is going to get a share in the semiconductor division of Toshiba in the future.

Western Digital, which remains among the contenders for the absorption of the semiconductor business of Toshiba, said it was disappointed that the Japanese corporation entered into a preliminary agreement with a competing consortium. In addition, Western Digital expressed surprise with Toshiba's decision, given the legal situation.

Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to get a share in the share capital of Toshiba Memory along with Bain.

If this agreement is concluded, this acquisition will be the largest for Apple after the purchase of Beats Electronics audio maker for $ 3 billion.

It is noted that Apple did not support Western Digital in the struggle for the semiconductor assets of Toshiba for strategic reasons. Apple buys from Toshiba flash memory for iPhone and iPod and is going to continue cooperation, reducing dependence on Samsung Electronics.

In Toshiba said that they "regret that Western Digital is constantly exaggerating its rights". Japanese conglomerate intends to close the deal before the end of March 2018.