Potential Microsoft CEO Elop could sell Xbox business

One of the leading candidates to take over Microsoft could sell of the company’s Xbox business should he take charge, according to a report.

Former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop – who has joined Microsoft as executive VP of Devices and Studios following the sale of the mobile company’s devices and services division – is tipped as one of the favourites to take on the role of Microsoft CEO falling the announcement of Steve Ballmer’s impending departure.

Three people with knowledge of his "analysis of the business" have allegedly told Bloomberg that Elop could consider streamling Microsoft’s business with a focus on Windows and Office.

Such a restructure could result in selling of the Xbox business if he deemed it "wasn’t critical to the company’s strategy". Microsoft’s third console, the Xbox One, is set to launch worldwide on November 22nd.

Elop could also consider ditching the Bing search engine, according to the sources.