Barclays has received at least two approaches from potential counter-bidders for iShares, the fast-growing asset management division it last month agreed to sell for $4.2bn (£2.8bn) to CVC Capital Partners, the private equity group.

The bank, which is selling iShares as part of its attempts to avoid a UK government bail-out, asked potential counter-bidders to indicate by the end of last week whether they were serious about making an offer.