From Reuters

Morgan Stanley (MS.N), which saw its stock pummeled Wednesday on worries
it may not survive the credit crunch, has held preliminary takeover
talks with Wachovia Corp (WB.N), a person familiar with the situation
told Reuters.

Separately, CNBC reported that Morgan Stanley was having deal
discussions with CITIC, the China-controlled conglomerate that owns
brokerage firm CITIC Securities (600030.SS). Morgan executives could not
be reached immediately for comment on these talks.

These moves come as Morgan Stanley Chief Executive John Mack takes steps
to ensure his firm remains one of the survivors of the ongoing credit
crisis.

Mack received a call on Wednesday from Wachovia, the fourth-largest U.S.
bank, expressing interest in a deal with the second-largest Wall Street
firm, the source said.

No deal with Wachovia is imminent and the talks can still fall apart.
But as recent days showed, a number of surprising deals have come
together quickly as banks and brokers scramble to do whatever it takes
to survive the ongoing credit crisis.

Morgan Stanley is considering other options, the source said. Other
banks also have expressed interest in a deal, according to media reports
late Wednesday.

Both Wachovia and Morgan Stanley declined to comment on whether it was
having takeover talks.

Get the whole story at:

http://tinyurl.com/4qkq7u


That would leave who, Goldman Sachs?