China’s Alibaba Group has hired Washington lobbying firm Duberstein Group, as it eyes a possible deal with Internet giant Yahoo! Inc.

Japan’s Softbank Corp. is also listed as an Alibaba affiliate in the lobbying firm’s disclosure, according to the filing.

The lobbying registration lists the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which specializes in mergers and acquisitions, as an intermediary between Alibaba and the company’s lobbying team.

Last week, sources familiar with the matter said the Internet company was considering a plan to unload most of its prized Asian assets in a complex deal with Alibaba and Softbank valued at roughly $17 billion.

Yahoo! shares fell 1.9 percent to $15.78 yesterday.