Electronic Arts, the videogame publisher behind global franchises FC and Battlefield, is in advanced talks with a consortium including PE firm Silver Lake, to go private in what could become the largest leveraged buyout in history, according to a report by Reuters citing unnamed sources.

The group, which also includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners is reportedly close to finalising terms, with a potential announcement expected this week. The deal would value EA at around $50bn.

For Silver Lake, one of the largest tech-focused private equity firms globally, the transaction would represent another landmark investment in digital entertainment. PIF, through its Savvy Games Group, has been building a major presence in gaming as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, while Affinity Partners continues to expand its reach through Gulf capital.

Shares in EA rose 15% on the news, reflecting investor optimism that private capital could accelerate the company’s growth and repositioning in a consolidating gaming industry.