FRANKFURT/NEW YORK — German pharmaceutical and crops manufacturer Bayer said on Monday that its negotiations with Monsanto had advanced, and that it was now willing to offer more than $65bn to acquire the world’s largest seeds company.Bayer’s announcement came as the gap in price expectations between the two companies has narrowed significantly, although important terms, including potential divestitures in case of antitrust scrutiny, have yet to be agreed on.Bayer said in a statement that it was prepared to offer $127.50 per share in connection with a negotiated deal, up from its previous offer of $125 per share.The Bayer statement confirmed a report by German daily Rheinische Post earlier on Monday.READ THIS: South Africans resilient in a strained business environmentRheinische Post also reported, citing sources that it did not identify, that an offer of $130 per share may be necessary to clinch a deal with Monsanto "in a swift and friendly way".In a brief statement, Monsanto said...
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