Is SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son Eyeing Vodafone?

SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son turning his gaze to Europe, and specifically to Vodafone Group. SoftBank has history with Vodafone. SoftBank acquired Vodafone’s Japanese operations in 2006 for $15 billion. By 2012, Vodafone sold back to SoftBank $5 billion-worth of interests from that transaction, as the British company pared minority interests from its worldwide footprint. Meanwhile, SoftBank used the deal to transform itself from an Internet provider into Japan’s third-largest cellphone carrier.