Shares in Northern Rock rose by 12 percent today following reports that the bank had received several offers of a takeover bid, according to the Guardian newspaper.
Chances of a sale seemed unlikely until the news of the fresh bids, with many banks ruling themselves out of the running.
There has also been speculation earlier in the week that a consortium of hedge funds was interested in bidding for the bank, with the intentions of breaking up the lender and selling the existing mortgages.
The company has received a number of approaches regarding a variety of potential transactions, including the possibility of an offer being made for the company, although no price has been referred to.
“The company is in preliminary discussions with selected parties but emphasises that there can be no certainty as to the outcome of such discussions,” cautioned Northern Rock in a statement.