Linklaters and Haarmann Hemmelrath & Partner have secured the lead roles on Germany’s largest-ever private equity deal, Fortress’ €3.5bn (£2.3bn) purchase of the federal housing business Gagfah.

The acquisition sees US investment house Fortress pick up the Gagfah operation from the German social security insurance agency Bundesversicherungsanstalt fuer Angestellte (BfA).