Verizon has submitted a second-round bid to acquire Yahoo!'s core internet business, according to reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the telco would offer $3bn in Yahoo!'s second bidding round, which closed earlier this morning.

It is unlikely to be the final round of bidding, with Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web receiving bids of around only $2bn-3bn on its core business, significantly less than the $4bn-8bn it had originally hoped to net in the sale.

"Yahoo! is expected to hold at least one more cycle of bidding, and the offers could change by the final round," people familiar with the matter told the WSJ.

The Register is holding its offer of $3 (£2.06) and a pack of chips (£crisps).

Verizon, which, along with Yahoo!, has declined to comment, is not interested in Yahoo!'s patents or real estate, according to the WSJ's sources, though Yahoo! wants to flog these off too.

"In submitting its bid, Verizon told Yahoo! it would be willing to pay more or less based on a few lingering questions about the deal," WSJ's source said.

This would include Verizon shelling out some more bucks if Yahoo! would agree to cover the cost of employee severance payments for those told to sling their hook after the deal was completed. ®