Union Pacific , the largest U.S. railroad operator, could reach an agreement to acquire rival Norfolk Southern as soon as early next week, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could announce a tentative merger agreement as early as this week, according to a published report. Bloomberg cited sources familiar with the talks in its report on Friday.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) could reach an agreement to acquire Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) in a potential cash-and-stock deal as early as this week. Read more here.