Back at the beginning of February, we saw Microsoft and Nokia rock the mobile industry by announcing a partnership that will see the latter company adopting Windows Phone 7 for use on its smartphones. According to Eldar Murtazin, the source of many spot-on Nokia rumors in the past, the two giants will begin talks on another major deal next week. Murtazin claims that the deal could involve Microsoft buying Nokia's mobile division and, while he doesn't have much more information on the potential agreement, he does believe that the deal could be complete before the end of 2011.

Obviously this is a pretty huge rumor, and until we learn more you shouldn't think of this as anything more than a rumor, but it could make sense for the two companies. Like I said earlier, Microsoft and Nokia have already come together for one big deal this year, and I'm sure Microsoft wouldn't mind shelling out some cash to Nokia to take control of the Finnish firm's mobile division in order to help strengthen Windows Phone 7. What do you all think of this rumor? Could we actually see Microsoft snap up Nokia's mobile unit?

UPDATE: Mark Squires, UK Communications Director for Nokia, had this to say on his Twitter account earlier today: "We typically don’t comment on rumors. But we have to say that Eldar’s rumors are getting obviously less accurate with every passing moment."

Via Engadget, MrMurtazin, @DrPinball