Allardyce £2m bid for Olsson turned down
WEST HAM have had a £2m bid for Blackburn full-back Martin Olsson rejected, as boss Sam Allardyce looks to bolster his squad.
The Sweden international has impressed for Blackburn in the Championship this season, and Hammers boss Allardyce is known to be an admirer, having worked with him during his time at Ewood Park. A defender who likes to maraud forward down the left flank, Olsson made 27 Premier League appearances last season.
The east London side have been performing well in the top flight this season, but with George McCartney out for some time with medial ligament damage they were forced to play 18-year-old Dan Potts at left-back against Manchester United on Saturday, and Allardyce is thought to be keen to bring in another defender or two during the January transfer window.
If the deal were to go through Olsson would be the third high-profile player to join West Ham this January, alongside Joe Cole and Marouane Chamakh. Midfielder Cole left Liverpool on a free transfer while forward Chamakh is on loan from Arsenal. The Hammers have also picked up Irish teenager Sean Maguire from Waterford United on a two-and-a-half-year contract.