Facebook and Google both chasing Skype

Facebook are said to be attempting either a takeover or partnership with popular VoIP firm Skype, a new report states.

Figures of as much as $4bn have been bandied about by Zuckerberg’s empire, should Reuters sources “with direct knowledge of the discussions” be believed. Considering Skype’s recent valuation was somewhere around the $1bn mark, that seems an extraordainarily high price tag.

Google too have been linked to a buyout of the video calling service.

Facebook already features integration with Skype 5.0, allowing users to voice chat with their social networking friends directly from the application, perhaps suggesting that they’re in a better position to snag a deal here over Google.

Skype, of course, are staying tight lipped on the reports.