Yahoo has reignited the debate over whether Microsoft could acquire all or part of its assets, by announcing that it is not opposed to any deal which would benefit the business, according to reports.

Blake Jorgensen, chief financial officer and executive vice president at Yahoo, said during a session at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco yesterday that Yahoo would be willing to listen to any proposals which "would maximise the value of the business, be it a partnership or sale in the long term".

However, he also pointed out that it would be difficult to divest the company of its search business without affecting other areas.

"It is extremely difficult to draw a line down the middle of the organisation and split it into two pieces," Jorgensen reportedly told the conference.

Jorgensen did not specifically mention Microsoft, but Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, told journalists earlier this week that he is still trying to find ways of working with Yahoo.

CNBC, meanwhile, reported that Microsoft executives have repeatedly been snubbed since Carol Bartz became chief at the ailing web firm.

According to reports, Yahoo is currently undergoing a major restructure of its management team this week, although no official announcement has been made.