China's Alibaba Group has hired Washington lobbying firm Duberstein Group Inc as it eyes a possible deal with Internet giant Yahoo Inc.

銆�銆�Japan's Softbank Corp is also listed as an Alibaba affiliate in the lobbying firm's disclosure, according to the filing.

銆�銆�The lobbying registration lists the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which specializes in mergers and acquisitions, as an intermediary between Alibaba and the company's lobbying team.

銆�銆�Last week, sources familiar with the matter said Yahoo was considering a plan to unload most of its prized Asian assets in a complex deal with Alibaba and Softbank valued at roughly $17 billion.