MediaBuyerPlanner: Microsoft has been in talks for several weeks about a possible acquisition of eBay, reported the New York Post on Friday (via MarketingVOX), citing sources close to the issue. Apparently, Microsoft has considered buying eBay and merging it with MSN in a bid to challenge Google for internet supremacy, but as a result of antitrust concerns the talks have "cooled somewhat," according to the Post.

Moreover, last week eBay and Yahoo announced a strategic advertising and e-commerce alliance that may have dampened the talks as well, though one source has suggested the partnership would not necessarily deter Microsoft from going after eBay.

After Google thwarted a Microsoft alliance with AOL, Microsoft has reportedly been in talks with Yahoo as well to form a partnership of sorts to take on Google. But, according to one source cited by the Post, Bill Gates has concluded that Yahoo is more a content than a technology company - and he does not want a content company.