Evangelos Marinakis is said to have revived his interest in buying struggling English football club Nottingham Forest.

He is said to have returned to the negotiating table with current owner Kuwaiti businessman Fawaz Al Hasawi, according to reports in The Guardian and The Nottingham Post.

Hasawi today confirmed the pair had discussed a deal but suggested a transaction was not on the horizon.

“Evangelos Marinakis – I know him, because he was a friend of mine when we were at school,” Hasawi told The Nottingham Post.

“I do not have any issues with him. But when people see us having dinner or him coming to my house – they presume a deal has been done.

“We have been talking about Forest. I am not denying that. But nothing is happening. There are potential issues with the Football League, when it comes to him investing.”

The Greek shipowner reportedly attempted to acquire a stake in the Midlands club last May, but negotiations broke down.

The Guardian said the previous effort was disrupted as Marinakis, alongside other individuals, was the subject of a match-fixing investigation in Greece.

But Marinakis has not been convicted of any of the charges and is now reported to be exploring whether he would be able to pass the English Football League owners and directors test, the newspaper said.

According to an SEC filing from Capital Product Partners, the Greek investigation began in 2011 and Marinakis has cooperated with the investigations and has denied any wrongdoing. The judicial council of the Court of Appeals is responsible for deciding if any of the charges ever go to trial.

Hasawi came close to selling the club to a group of American investors led by billionaire John Moores, but the deal collapsed at the last minute.

Nottingham Forest enjoyed its greatest success in the late 1970s and early 1980s under the guidance of maverick manager Brian Clough.

It is nearly 40 years since the unfancied side stunned the football word by winning the league title in their first season back in the top flight.

They went on to win the European Cup, a precursor of today’s Champions League, back to back in 1979 and 1980.

Many sports commentators recently drew comparisons between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City’s maiden league title last season.