That's not how an acquisition works. It's not about Apple shareholders wanting to hold Tesla stock, it's about Apple potentially wanting to own the company, and

That's not how an acquisition works. It's not about Apple shareholders wanting to hold Tesla stock, it's about Apple potentially wanting to own the company, and that results in Tesla shareholders receiving Apple stock at whatever the agreed upon price is. Apple would not just become an equity investor and buy some Tesla stock, it would assume control of the company.