Max Lowe's contract clause as Sheffield United CEO hints at bid from Nottingham Forest

CEO Stephen Bettis has hinted that Sheffield United rejected a bid for Max Lowe from Nottingham Forest in the January window. The 25-year-old has spent the season on loan at the City Ground and played an important part in their promotion to the Premier League.

His future is unclear and will be addressed by Paul Heckingbottom upon his return to the club. The Blades boss is not short of options when it comes to left-sided wing-backs. Already at the club are Enda Stevens and Rhys Norrington-Davies.

It is expected that one of those three will leave in the summer. Ben Osborn's flexibility in that role also adds another layer of cover that will only add weight to the fact United are over subscribed in that area.

Forest boss Steve Cooper has made no secret of his admiration for Lowe and Bettis says the club rejected an offer for the player in January. Having been sent out on loan by previous manager Slavisa Jokanovic, Heckingbottom was in no rush to move the player on without seeing more of him.

Bettis said: "It's up to Paul [Heckingbottom]. We have three players in that position. In an ideal world there is no pressure from our side for Paul to sell Max. Paul likes to keep the squad balanced and if there is a potential to sell one of those players and use that money elsewhere in the squad that may be something that gets considered.

"We are not sat here at the moment telling Paul he needs to sell Max. We did have an offer for Max in January, which we turned down. We were not interested in doing that and actually Max was put out on loan by Slav at the start of the season. It wasn't Paul's decision.

"He now has the time to take a look at all three of the players and the squad in general and if there are any changes he wants