Newly-promoted Sheffield United find themselves in a tight spot as they look to secure Lewis O'Brien, with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest rejecting any possibility of a loan deal for the talented 24-year-old midfielder.
The Blades must now splash a weighty £10million to buy O'Brien, after Forest have rejected a loan offer.
Having made 29 signings last summer, Forest boss Steve Cooper is looking to streamline his squad, having already released six players including Jesse Lingard.
O’Brien was left out of Nottingham Forest's squad for the second half of the season, after a paperwork issue meant a loan to Blackburn fell through on January deadline day.