NBC’s “Weekend Today” anchor Soledad O’Brien – who was left to shoulder the show after co-host David Bloom died last April while covering the Iraq war – is in talks with CNN to co-anchor its fledgling morning show.

CNN has been searching for a woman to team with its anchor Bill Hemmer on “American Morning” ever since it shifted Paula Zahn to primetime.

Insiders confirmed yesterday reports first broken on the TV news industry web site, News Blues, that O’Brien, 36, is now the top contender for the CNN job.

Her contract with NBC apparently expires later this summer.

CNN and NBC officials declined to comment yesterday.

CNN had reportedly offered the job to CBS’ former “Early Show” anchor Jane Clayson, who decided ultimately to stay at CBS.