Champions League side with link to Nottingham Forest in race for Sheffield United's Max Lowe

Defender Max Lowe is currently the subject of interest from Olympiacos. The 25-year-old recently returned to Sheffield United following a successful loan at Nottingham Forest last season.

Yorkshire Live understands reports claiming the Greek champions have made a bid for the wing-back are correct. United have received an opening offer and have informed Olympiacos of their valuation.

Talks are expected to continue. Lowe was the subject of a bid from Forest in January that fell way short of what United would have accepted. They have remained interested this summer following their promotion to the Premier League, but had not showed any indication they were prepared to meet the club's asking price.

Interestingly, Olympiacos are owned by Evangelos Marinakis, who is also the majority shareholder at the Forest.

United will be wary of this deal and the possibility that he could then be loaned to Forest. With that in mind, officials at S2 are thought to be willing to play hard ball over their stance on the player.

Yorkshire Live understands Max Lowe has been training at the Randox Health Academy in Shirecliffe this week and is expected to board the plane to Portugal this weekend unless talks progress to an advanced stage.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom, who this week sanctioned the departure of out-of-favour striker Oli Burke to Werder Bremen, is under no pressure to sell, according to CEO Stephen Bettis.

But money raised from player sales would be made available to the manager for a replacement if needed.

United currently have three players in this position, with Rhys Norrington-Davies and Enda Stevens also competing for the first team spot but given Marinakis' links to Forest and the fact they have tried and failed with a