Media: shareholders press and Twitter has second thoughts: talks with Musk

Twitter

started negotiations with

under shareholder pressure.

Tesla boss has courted several of the social media firm's shareholders with financing details on its $ 43 billion takeover bid.

reports

, citing sources according to which the company's decision to engage with Musk on Sunday does not mean it will accept his offer of $ 54.20 per share.    

Musk has been meeting with Twitter shareholders for the past few days, seeking support for his proposal.

And many of these would have urged the company not to miss the opportunity for an agreement.

The Twitter board, the same sources said, therefore decided to engage with Musk to gather more information on his ability to complete the deal, and try to get better terms. 

Twitter has not yet decided whether to consider a sale to put pressure on Musk and push him to increase his offer.

The company wants to acquire more information on any ongoing investigation by regulators into Musk, including the SEC, which would pose a risk to the completion of the transaction.

Twitter is also trying to figure out whether regulators in one of the main markets in which it operates would oppose the acquisition of Musk.    

The

previously reported that Musk and Twitter would be meeting to discuss the proposed acquisition and that the social media company would be reviewing the offer.

Twitter is examining the offer again, writes the business newspaper, stressing that "it is more likely than before it will try to negotiate". 

According to sources cited by the newspaper, "the potential Twitter reversal comes after Mr. Musk met privately with several of the company's shareholders on Friday."

The billionaire also "promised to find a solution to the problems of free speech (...), whether his offer is accepted or not".

Elon Musk said he wanted to make Twitter "the platform for free speech in the world".    

According to the same sources, Twitter could make a statement Thursday when it releases its first quarter results, or even earlier, a response that "could leave the door open for other offers or to negotiate with Musk on terms other than price."

Musk, according to the WSJ, also "reiterated in recent days to Twitter president Bret Taylor that he would not move from his offer of $ 54.20 per share" made on April 14.