The New York Post reports that a Facebook deal is expected to be announced in the next 24 to 48 hours. Both Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) have been in negotiations with Facebook to buy a 5-10 percent stake of what is considered to be the hottest Internet startup currently. Facebook’s investors are valuing it at $10-15 billion, which means Microsoft or Google would have to pay up to $1.5 billion for a 10% stake and $750 million for a 5% stake in the social-networking site founded by Mark Zuckerberg.

I’m sure Microsoft will do everything in its power to keep Facebook away from Google after it has already lost other important companies to the search engine rival. So, it is even possible that Microsoft will make a bid higher than $150 million/percent to get the coveted stake in Facebook if Google is willing to pay the maximum.

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