Barclays has recieved a £3.8bn ($6.2bn) offer for the business by the US bank in recent weeks, according to a report in the Independent newspaper.

The rumour has been fuelled by speculation that Barclays is considering splitting its retail and corporate banking operations.

The only reaction from the bank to the rumour has been from a spokeswoman who said: "We do not comment on market speculation."

Not a good year for the bank

The bank was rocked last week by the sudden resignation of its chief executive Martin Taylor after a decline in fortunes in recent months which has seen its balance sheet hit by financial turmoil in Russian and Asian markets.

There are also rumours its considering a merger with one of its UK rivals, either NatWest or Halifax.

Barclaycard announced plans in September to cut 1,100 jobs to help maintain its dominant share of the competitive UK card market.

The banking union BIFU is urging Barclays to make its position clear on any sale plans, saying if the buy-out went ahead it would have a negative impact on employees.

The Northampton-based credit provider has over 9m cardholders in Britain and just under 30% of the market.