NEW YORK — Shares of GameStop Corp. fell 1.86% to $18.47 in morning trading on Wednesday as investors digested reports that Chief Executive Ryan Cohen is considering withdrawing the company's $56 billion takeover proposal for eBay Inc. in favor of a partnership or joint venture.

The stock traded lower after opening near recent levels, reflecting continued caution following a sharp drop earlier this month tied to a major debt-for-equity swap and ongoing uncertainty around the retailer's ambitious acquisition strategy. GameStop, the specialty retailer of video games, collectibles and electronics, has seen its shares decline roughly 28% since it first floated the eBay bid in May.

According to people familiar with the matter reported by Bloomberg, Cohen is exploring an alternative structure that would let eBay use GameStop's roughly 1,600 U.S. retail locations to expand its physical presence in high-margin categories such as trading cards and collectibles. GameStop, already one of eBay's largest shareholders with a stake that has grown to about 9.75%, would seek board representation as part of any such arrangement. No final decision has been made, and other options remain under consideration.

The original non-binding proposal, valued at $125 per share in a mix of cash and GameStop stock, was rejected by eBay's board, which described the offer as "neither credible nor attractive." GameStop has continued to build........

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