CNET has the first report from a source claiming that Microsoft has won the battle with Google for the right to buy a stake in Facebook. This seems to be exactly in line with what I wrote about yesterday.

This is HUGE news – especially for Microsoft.

It’s a very small percentage stake, but the true value lies in simply keeping Facebook and its potential advertising revenue away from Google.

[UPDATE]: Valleywag has perhaps an even more perfect indicator of Microsoft’s impending win: the head of Facebook’s PR has just befriended the head of Microsoft’s PR on Facebook…

[UPDATE 2]: An official release has been put out: Microsoft is investing $240 million in the company for a percentage (1.6% to be exact) that puts Facebook’s overall valuation at $15 BILLION – exactly what Facebook was said to be holding out for.

Given Ballmer’s previous stance (previous as in 3 weeks ago) on social networking – that’s one hell of a fad!