The Japanese telecommunication company Softbank Group Corp. notified the management Uber Technologies Inc. that it intends to purchase a significant stake in the company, however, with a discount of about 30% in comparison to the current cost estimate of the firm, Interfax-Ukraine reports quoting The Wall Street Journal with reference to informed sources.

SoftBank heads the consortium of investors, who plan to purchase new stakes of the company for the minimum amount of USD 2 bln at the price, which investors paid during the former round of financing, when the cost of the company was estimated at USD 68 bln. They also plan to purchase at least 14% of its shares at reduced price, which will be at about USD 48 bln.

It is noted that the investors can submit the official proposal to Uber on Tuesday, after which the shareholders of the company will have 20 working days of its consideration.

According to the sources, Softbank can increase the price, if it fails to purchase 14% of shares at the specified price.

The analytics state that many employees and investors of Uber waited to sell their stakes for long, and may not get their chance until IPO, which is expected not earlier than 2019.

Many investors may obtain a huge profit, accepting Softbank’s proposal. Thus, the fund Benchmark Capital was one of the first, who provided funding to the company, amounting to USD 27 mln, and now the cost of his stake in Uber is assessed at USD 8 bln.

In case of the success of the deal, Uber expects for serious changes in the management structure – in particular, Softbank intends to introduce 6 new directors to the board of directors of the company. In addition, the support of such large partner can contribute to the stabilization of operational indicators of the company.

Uber is the international technology company, developing mobile services for calling cars with personal driver. The company provides services in more than 600 cities in 77 countries.