According to Theodosopoulos, Lucent is hearing bids from European firms like Alcatel and Italy-based Pirelli . Henry Schacht , interim CEO, heads the company. But Lucent hasn't found a permanent leader to step up to the plate since Richard McGinn left in October 2000. And as more time elapses, Lucent falls further out of the game, wandering without strategic direction. Don't look for a U.S. telecom equipment providers to acquire Lucent because of its debt.
Hunt rules out Cisco as a potential buyer.
Cisco has a great product line and Lucent can fill in some holes, but not for the price it would have to pay nor for the debt that they'd have to assume. But, after substantial restructuring and revamping product initiatives, Lucent could be seen as a prettier franchise, which would make it a more attractive merger partner, according to Baird analyst Moreau. But don't count on that for another one to two years. The deal was nearly set, but when Lucent realized what was about to do with Alacatel, it backed away. Lucent Says Allo, Alcatel Lucent, one of the more battered players in a troubled industry, is set to sell itself to France's Alcatel.