The US pharmacy chain is allegedly finally closing in on a deal with American private equity firm Sycamore Partners, after talks originally began last year

Sycamore Partners is nearing an acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., people with knowledge of the matter said, in a deal that could end the drugstore operator’s tumultuous run as a public company.

Walgreens Boots Alliance shares are jumping in premarket trading Tuesday, on a report that the troubled drugstore chain is nearing a deal with Sycamore Partners to be taken private for around $10 billion.