Shares in Reliance Communications gained on Friday after The Economic Times newspaper reported the company was in talks to sell a stake in its mobile tower unit to Reliance Industries.

The Economic Times reported the deal could involve Reliance Industries' unit Reliance Infotel buying a stake in Reliance Communications' unit Reliance Infratel, citing two people close to the negotiations.

The newspaper also reported talks involved a leasing arrangement between the two units.

Reliance Communications shares had slumped 9.14 percent on Thursday after posting a sharper-than-expected fall in its October-December quarter.

Shares in Reliance Communications were up 2.9 percent as of 9:35 a.m.. Reliance Industries shares were down 0.7 percent.