Sheffield United are keen on snapping up Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien, according to reports in England.

The 24-year-old moved to the City Ground as part of a £10m double deal that also included Harry Toffolo last summer, but he quickly dropped out of the first-team picture.

After making 17 appearances for Forest up until January, O’Brien ended up not being included in the Premier League side’s 25-man squad for the second half of the season.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom did then try to bring him in on loan, along with Blackburn Rovers, but neither side managed to get a deal done before the last transfer window closed.

It meant O’Brien was left in limbo until he was offered a chance by MLS side DC United. He made the loan switch to the United States in March, and he is contracted to them until July.

United are working with a small transfer budget

With Prince Abdullah trying to sell the Blades, it means there are limited funds available for transfers, despite the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

Signing players, like O’Brien, who are likely to be available on the cheap, will be the focus of the Yorkshire club’s recruitment across the summer.