GameStop is reportedly considering abandoning its £41.7bn takeover bid for eBay, in favour of a partnership with the online marketplace.

Chief executive Ryan Cohen is weighing a deal that could allow eBay to make use of GameStop’s roughly 1,600 US stores as the two businesses look to grow their presence in higher-margin categories including trading cards and collectibles, Bloomberg reported.

Under the potential partnership, the video game retailer would also seek seats on eBay’s board.

No final decision has been made and Cohen could still pursue other options. GameStop and eBay have not commented on the report.

The move would mark a change in strategy after eBay rejected GameStop’s unsolicited $56bn takeover approach in May, branding the proposal “neither credible nor attractive”.

The bid had raised eyebrows among investors and analysts as eBay was valued at almost six times GameStop’s market capitalisation, while questions were also raised over plans to finance the transaction through a combination of debt and new shares.

Despite the rejection, GameStop has continued to increase its influence over the ecommerce giant. Last month, it revealed it had built a 9.8 per cent stake in eBay, making it one of the company’s largest shareholders.

Cohen said at the time that GameStop intended to pursue a deal with the marketplace “one way or another”.

Both businesses have been increasing their focus on the booming collectibles market, although they operate markedly different models.

eBay runs a marketplace connecting third-party buyers and sellers, while GameStop buys stock and sells it through its physical and online retail operations.

GameStop shares rose 1.6 per cent in early trading following the report, while eBay slipped 2.2 per cent.

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