Microsoft is set to acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction which is valued at $26.2 billion, inclusive of LinkedIn’s net cash. The deal is expected to close by the end of this year. After recent acquisition of Yahoo by Verizon for $4.83 billion, the acquisition of LinkedIn, which is currently world’s largest and most valuable professional network, Silicon Valley experts looking up to this deal as a smart move for Microsoft, saying LinkedIn has a trove of data.

Reid Hoffman, chairman of the board, co-founder and controlling shareholder of LinkedIn, and Jeff Wiener both fully support this transaction. Jeff Wiener will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.

The deal is Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s latest effort to revitalize Microsoft, which was viewed not long ago as left behind by shifts in technology.Microsoft’s CEO hopes the deal will open new horizons for Microsoft’s Office suite as well as LinkedIn.

Looking very positive towards the deal and stating that he always had a great admiration of LinkedIn. He added “I am user of LinkedIn, I am Publisher on LinkedIn” and It’s going to be a next phase of growth for Microsoft.

As stated by Mr. Satya Nadella, this is deal is all about bringing together world’s leading professional cloud and world’s leading professional network.