From people who were briefed tonight on the negotiations, CNN Money via The New York Times has learned that the Walt Disney Company is reportedly planning to announce its acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios as early as Tuesday, in a stock transaction valued at about $7 billion. Supposedly, Disney’s directors are expected to vote in favor of giving chief executive, Robert A. Iger, the authority to offer the chief executive of Pixar, Steven P. Jobs, approximately $59 a share to acquire the company. Negotiators from Disney are expected to approach correspondents from Pixar, on Tuesday, to try to determine the price, after which, Pixar’s board will soon vote on the acquisition. Those people briefed on the negotiations are quick to caution that the deal could still fall apart at any time.

Important details decided upon today include the employment contracts for certain Pixar executives. John Lasseter, Pixar’s chief creative officer, is expected to manage the animation unit set to become a part of Disney’s animation division. The deal is looking to combine Pixar with Disney’s animation unit, while also giving Jobs a seat among Disney’s board of directors.