Internet search leader Google Inc is in talks to buy popular Web video site YouTube Inc. for close to $1.6 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing a person familiar with the matter.According to the report, the talks are at a sensitive stage and could break off.

Representatives for Google and YouTube were not immediately available for comment. Internet blog TechCrunch.com earlier in the day cited what it called a “completely unsubstantiated” rumor of talks between Google and YouTube.

YouTube has stood out from the growing crop of online video services for its simplicity. YouTube serves up videos that generally can be viewed without users downloading special software.

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