Walgreens Boots Alliance is in talks to sell itself to private equity firm Sycamore Partners, according to a person familiar with the matter, the latest attempt by the pharmacy chain operator to go private after a sharp slump in share value.

Following the report, shares of the pharmacy giant jumped 18%, the largest one-day boost in Walgreens' history.

The Deerfield-based pharmacy chain is in talks with Sycamore Partners about a deal that could be done early next year to take it private, the Wall Street Journal reports. Walgreens shares jumped nearly 18% on the news.