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

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

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.

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.