Microsoft Corps board is preparing to name internal executive Satya Nadella as the software companys next chief executive, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources it said were briefed on the CEO search process. The board is also considering replacing Chairman Bill Gates, possibly with lead independent director John Thompson, Bloomberg said. Sources had previously told Reuters that Microsoft was down to a handful of candidates, including Nadella, executive vice president of the cloud and enterprise group, and Tony Bates, executive vice president of business development, plus at least one external candidate.