The extraordinary takeover battle for Symbion Health escalated on Monday night when the Australian healthcare provider unveiled a fresh offer worth up to A$2.64bn from its preferred bidders but then also had to reveal a new approach from long-time suitor and rival Primary Health Care.

Symbion said it had received a new cash-and-paper offer from Healthscope and its private equity partners – Ironbridge Capital and Archer Capital – in what would be Australia’s largest healthcare transaction.