Deal would cap tumultuous run for retailer whose market value shrank from a peak of over $100 billion to below $8 billion.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is in talks to sell itself to private equity firm Sycamore Partners, according to a person familiar with the matter, the latest attempt by the pharmacy chain operator to go private after a sharp slump in share value.

Following the report, shares of the pharmacy giant jumped 18%, the largest one-day boost in Walgreens' history.