According to The Information, the group of early backers is preparing to buy Manus back at the same valuation—“the $2 billion price that the Facebook parent paid”—effectively seeking to unwind the transaction rather than renegotiate its terms. The report adds that the plan is based on information from “two people with direct knowledge of the matter.”
The development reportedly follows a directive from Chinese authorities ordering that the deal be reversed, introducing an unexpected layer of geopolitical and regulatory pressure into what was initially a high-value technology acquisition.
While details remain limited, the situation highlights growing tensions around cross-border deals in the artificial intelligence sector, where strategic oversight and national policy considerations are increasingly shaping whether major transactions proceed—or are rolled back after completion.
If finalized, the buyback would effectively return Manus to its original investor base, restoring ownership structure to what it was prior to Meta’s acquisition and raising broader questions about the stability of international tech dealmaking under tightening regulatory scrutiny.