Foxconn's CEO Terry Gou told reporters that the Japanese government investment outfit Innovation Network has been cut out of the loop and he was going to get his paws on the company.

If it goes through, it means that Foxconn’s lead zookeeper will get some new animals to play with although with the display business which flogs stuff to his other partner Apple.

Foxconn has been given preferred negotiating rights, and is aiming to lock up a deal by the end of February Gou said.

The two companies are said to have reached a consensus on most matters, with what's remaining being mostly legal and regulatory issues.

"The rest is a process...I don't see a problem completing this process," Gou said after meeting with Sharp executives.

It moved quickly, only last Thursday Sharp CEO Kozo Takahashi denied that his company had given Foxconn exclusive negotiating rights. It's not clear what changed to sway the situation.