FRANKFURT, July 14 (Reuters) - The German Landesbank

Helaba is weighing a takeover of the property bank Aareal, a

person with knowledge of the matter said on Monday, a deal that

would create a heavyweight in real-estate lending.

Talks are at an early stage and could fall through, said the

person, adding that investors were open to other bidders.

Both banks declined to comment.

Handelsblatt first reported the talks.

A consortium of investors bought Aareal in 2023 at a value

of around 2 billion euros ($2.34 billion). The investors

included Advent and Centerbridge.

($1 = 0.8552 euros)