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Billboard.com is reporting that the June leak of nine allegedly “mastered, finished” tracks from Guns N’ Roses’ long-delayed “Chinese Democracy” spurred a renewed round of chatter about whether the Axl Rose-led band will finally release the 14-years-in-the-making album.

But some concrete signs are finally emerging that the album’s release could be imminent. That’s because, according to sources, negotiations are underway for “Chinese Democracy” to come out as an exclusive at one of the big boxes — either Wal-Mart or Best Buy.

Negotiations are also ongoing to have conventional record company distribution, another source says.

Guns N’ Roses is now managed by Irving Azoff’s Front Line Management, and Azoff is a well-known proponent of issuing albums exclusively through retailers. He released the Eagles’ “Long Road Out of Eden” through Wal-Mart, much to the chagrin of other merchants.

Most recently, it became known that AC/DC’s next album will come out exclusively through Wal-Mart. Merchants were particularly incensed that the deal was apparently struck with the blessing of Columbia.

It’s unclear who initiated the Guns N’ Roses exclusive negotiations — Front Line or Interscope, the band’s label.

Representatives at Front Line and Interscope with knowledge of the situation couldn’t be reached for comment by deadline. A Wal-Mart representative says the chain couldn’t confirm this fall’s exclusives. Best Buy representatives couldn’t be reached for comment by deadline.

HRH Comment: Wal-Mart ought to package this CD with a space heater.  Hell will have frozen over before this disc comes out.