Cliffs is partnering with peer Nucor to prepare a potential bid for U.S. Steel, CNBC reported on Monday, citing sources. According to the report, Cleveland-Cliffs would purchase U.S. Steel in an all-cash deal and then sell the company's Big River Steel subsidiary to Nucor.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is partnering with Nucor Corp. to weigh a potential joint bid for United States Steel Corp., according to a person familiar with the matter. Cliffs’ top boss later confirmed his interest in the American steelmaker at a press event.

U.S. Steel shares jumped Monday on a report that Cleveland-Cliffs is teaming up with rival Nucor for a potential bid for the company, whose $14.1 billion buyout by Nippon Steel was recently blocked by President Joe Biden.