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The group last month (April) agreed to offload its iShares business, part of its fund management arm, to CVC Capital Partners for around $4.2bn (£3bn).

Under the terms of the agreement, Barclays retained the right to secure a higher bid, known as a 'go-shop' period, which means that if a higher offer is received then the deal can be restructured and sold to the higher bidder.

CVC would then receive a break clause and would essentially be paid a $175m break fee for losing out.

A spokesman for Barclays confirmed to FTAdviser.com that there was "other interest" in the iShares business, however, he would not speculate on which firms, or indeed how many firms, had shown interest in iShares.

Potential bidders have until the middle of June to launch a formal bid for iShares.

The spokesman said: "The go-shop period ends on 15 June, when something will have to be decided. If no better offer has been made, then the deal that is in place at the moment will remain."

According to FTAdviser.com's sister paper the Financial Times, possible bidders could include CVC's rival private equity group's BC Partners, Hellman & Friedman and Apax Partners.