Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang is once again very eager to get a search-advertising deal with Google signed. Two sources tell the New York Post "executives are scrambling" to finalize the deal. Why such a rush? Because Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer identified the deal as the big reason Microsoft walked away from merger talks with Yahoo. Now that pro-merger Yahoo shareholders own at least 29 percent of the company — and are trying to replace the company board with directors who share that position — returning to the Google deal is the easiest way Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang will scuttle any renewed interest from Microsoft.

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