Midfielder told he might have to force transfer to Sheffield United from Premier League rivals

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With Tunisia’s Anis Ben Slimane poised to become Paul Heckingbottom’s first summer signing, the United manager would also like to add O’Brien to his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

Previously of Huddersfield Town, O’Brien is preparing to rejoin Nottingham Forest following a spell on loan with Major League Soccer franchise DC United, after the Americans failed in an attempt to extend his agreement.

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That will pave the way for Heckingbottom to make a concrete approach for the player’s services, after first expressing an interest in hiring him before United were temporarily placed under a transfer embargo in January.

However, senior figures with knowledge of Forest’s recruitment strategy report that Steve Cooper, Heckingbottom’s counterpart at the City Ground, is wary of selling O’Brien to a direct rival. With Cooper also known to value him highly, despite being unable to offer regular first team football, they warn that does not make United’s path towards the 24-year-old’s signature as smooth as might otherwise be the case.

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O’Brien, however, is determined to feature regularly next term; something which might persuade him to try and press the issue by petitioning Forest for permission to speak with interested parties. Aware he counts Heckingbottom as a long-standing admirer, and with his team winning promotion from the Championship last term, that would strengthen United’s hand.

Slimane has been omitted from Brondby’s squad for their upcoming friendlies.

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