Google is apparently interested in buying SoundCloud

SoundCloud was a target for Spotify last year, but nothing materialised after rumoured "advanced talks", with SoundCloud still searching for a buyer to help ease the protracted financial difficulties. Despite having over 175m users across the globe, the Berlin-based platform has struggled to generate revenue and been the target of various copyright lawsuits.

Last summer the German service slapped a $1 billion price tag on themselves, putting off the likes of Twitter, but if the whispers are true, then Google would be interested - although they'd be expecting to strike a deal at roughly half that amount, report Music Business Worldwide.

As well as Google's interest, it's been revealed by MBW that three major record labels - Warner, Universal, and Sony - have ownership stakes in SoundCloud.