Following the report, shares of the pharmacy giant jumped 18%, the largest one-day boost in Walgreens' history.

The Deerfield-based pharmacy chain is in talks with Sycamore Partners about a deal that could be done early next year to take it private, the Wall Street Journal reports. Walgreens shares jumped nearly 18% on the news.

Sycamore Partners is in talks to acquire struggling drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from BloombergBrace for a Nationwide Shuffle of Corporate HeadquartersCloud Computing Tax Threatens Chicago’s Silicon Valley DreamA Chicago Skyscraper Cements the Legacy of a Visionary Postmodern ArchitectSan Francisco,