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Nvidia Eyes Biggest-Ever Chip Deal in Pursuit of SoftBank’s Arm

SoftBank also approached Apple to gauge its interest in Arm
Japanese group bought U.K. chip designer for $32 billion

Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

By

Dinesh Nair, and

July 22, 2020, 6:21 PM UTCUpdated onJuly 23, 2020, 11:52 AM UTC

Arm Ltd., the chip designer that’s one of SoftBank Group Corp.’s most prized holdings, is attracting takeover interest from Nvidia Corp. in what could become the biggest-ever semiconductor deal, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Nvidia, the world’s largest graphics chipmaker, made an approach in recent weeks about a potential deal for Cambridge, England-based Arm, according to the people. SoftBank has been exploring options to exit part or all of its stake in the business, which it acquired for $32 billion in 2016, Bloomberg News has reported.