The prospect of a potential counter-bid from the trio of Royal Bank of Scotland, Belgium-based Fortis and Spain's Santander lifted ABN's shares by more than six per cent to £24.37.
This is above the 35 euro-a-share offer most analysts think Barclays can afford.
The two banks are already racing to seal an agreement before tomorrow, when their period of exclusive talks over a deal to create the world's fifth largest bank ends.
Charles Stanley analyst Nic Clarke said that the two banks had to walk a "difficult tightrope" between a low Barclays offer, which would spark demands for talks with the rivals, and too high a bid, which would hit Barclays' own share price.
Barclays has already offered concessions to the Dutch bank, including moving the combined company's headquarters to Amsterdam.
What do you think? Have your say.
Tweet
