As many as 9,000 jobs may be saved. Bankers are crossing their fingers…

Barclays has stated that it is indeed considering the purchase of some of Lehman’s businesses.

“Barclays confirms that it is discussing with Lehman Brothers the possible acquisition of certain Lehman Brothers assets on terms that would be attractive to Barclays shareholders,” according to the AFP.

A likely deal between Barclays and Lehman would result in the sell-off of Lehman’s broker-dealer unit, and possibly more, reports the WSJ.

The BD unit would cover approximately 10,000 employees, that pending the deal, would shift to Barclays, according to an earlier report by the WSJ.

Barclays is interested in Lehman’s US broker-dealer unit, and but also is looking at Lehman’s Canadian operations as well as Lehman’s UK broker-dealer business.

UPDATED: The deal is to be put before a bankruptcy court judge at 5pm and Lehman creditors are expected to meet one hour later, the WSJ reports. The European division is not expected to be part of the deal.