VerizonCommunications Inc., QuickenLoans Inc. founder Dan Gilbert and areleading the final roundof bidding for Yahoo! Inc.'score internet assets, Bloomberg News reported July 19, citing sources familiarwith the details.

Other bidders are AT&TInc. and private equity suitor TPG, according to the report.

Sources, however, said Yahoo could decide to sell itsintellectual property separately, with one source expecting the patents tofetch a price lower than $500 million, even though they may be worth up to $1billion. Potential buyers, including a consortium of smaller companies thataggregate intellectual property for royalties, have offered to acquire thecompany's patents, according to the report.

Yahoo did not provide any update about the auction processduring a July 18 earnings conference call.