Video-game giant Electronic Arts (EA) is reportedly in advanced talks to be taken private in a deal that could top US$50 billion (A$76.5 billion), making it potentially the largest leveraged buyout in history.

A consortium including private equity firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (which already owns a 10% stake in EA) and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners are said to be leading the push.

Sources suggest an announcement could come within days. EA’s shares surged nearly 15% last week on the news, closing at a record US$193.35 (A$294.96). The company is now valued at $48.4 billion (A$76 billion).

The talks follow a wave of consolidation in gaming, including Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Take-Two Interactive’s takeover of Zynga.

Earlier this year

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