<p>Buying WhatsApp could accelerate the Google+ service by adding an already popular messaging element. Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images</p><p>Google has reportedly had a $1bn bid to buy the smartphone messaging system WhatsApp rebuffed as it tries to expand its grasp of the chat market.</p><p>The search giant said it would not comment on speculation, but Digital Trends reported sources saying both parties have been in discussions for weeks and the current offer is "close to $1bn".</p><p>WhatsApp did not respond to requests for comment from the Guardian, though its business development chief Neeraj Arora told All Things Digital that the company is not holding sales talks with Google.</p><p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/apr/09/whatsapp-rebuff-google-bid-messaging">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/9/4202938/moped-messaging-app-dropbox-foursquare-aviary">Moped: cross-platform messaging plugged into Dropbox, Foursquare, and Aviary</a> (The Verge)</p><p><a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2013/04/08/report-google-could-grab-messaging-app-whatsapp-for-1b/">Report: Google Could Grab Messaging App WhatsApp for $ 1B</a> (Fox Business)</p><p><a href="http://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/news/2013/04/google_s_whatsapp_deal_why_the_big_g_needs_the_messaging_marvel/">Google&#039;s WhatsApp deal: why the Big G needs the messaging marvel</a> (uSwitch.com (Tech))</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dHRQV2QurF_cUEMXN1c9G3vEd98mM&ned=us">199 additional articles.</a></p>