Blackstone Said to Mull Outbidding Silver Lake for Dell

Blackstone Group LP is weighing a bid for Dell Inc., the computer maker seeking offers to rival the proposed $24.4 billion buyout by its founder and Silver Lake Management LLC, said people with knowledge of the matter.

Blackstone may bid as part of a group with other investors, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the process is confidential. The New York-based private-equity firm hasn’t made a decision, another person said. Under the go-shop provision of the Silver Lake merger agreement, Dell’s board has through March 22 to seek superior proposals, and can negotiate beyond that date if it receives an offer it deems serious.