Alibaba is asking banks for up to $4 billion in loans to grow even bigger.
According to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday, the Chinese e-commerce giant is in talks with several banks for $3 billion — a number that could be upped by another billion.
Alibaba in the past year has announced investments in other companies worth nearly $10 billion. The companies it has bought stakes operate in a range of industries including food-ordering and online video.
The company last month reported strong third-quarter results that beat Wall Street's estimates for profits and revenues. Sales were boosted by the Single's Day shopping event held during the quarter.
Shares were up 2.5% in premarket trading; they have fallen 23% over the past 12 months.