Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) may have a new activist investor in the fray. CNBC’s David Faber has now reported that Carl Icahn has reportedly taken a stake of close to 100 million shares of Dell common stock. Supposedly, Icahn has urged for a recapitalization of sorts and may oppose the merger if Faber is correct. We have covered the Dell saga and have a few opinions of our own on the matter.

Until we see a 13D filing under Mr. Icahn, we will not be jumping to any formal conclusion here. in fact, Carl Icahn does not like to signal his efforts until he wants them signaled. Even then, sometimes he is elusive outside of his public communications.

Dell shares are now trading even higher above the %13.65 per share buyout. The latest news was that the special committee has defended the terms of the deal as a best solution. We have gone as far of late as to say that Michael Dell’s real plan may not even to just acquire Dell outright. He may be simply trying to establish a floor down around the $13 mark. All you have to do is go look and see what has happened to Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ). Its valuation was very similar to Dell and its shares are now up back over $21.00.

Dell shares are now up 1% at $14.19 against a 52-week range of $8.69 to $17.46. The opposition to this low-ball buyout sure appears to be growing.

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