The London Stock Exchange (LSE) today confirmed it has received a takeover bid from Euronext but said it plans to keep talking to its original suitor Deutsche Boerse as well.
In a brief statement, the LSE said: "The approach is at an early stage and therefore does not require a response at this point."
The exchange gave no further details about the Euronext approach.
Last week, Deutsche Boerse tabled a 530 pence-a-share offer for LSE, valuing the company at about £1.35 billion sterling, but the LSE rejected the bid as too low.
Reports have suggested the Euronext offer could be in excess of LSE's closing price on Friday of 556 pence a share and that Euronext chief executive Mr Jean-Francois Theodore will argue the Euronext business model offers better synergies than could be hoped for with Deutsche Boerse.
LSE shares were up 19p at 575 in early trading this morning.