Blackburn boss fires warning to West Ham over defender

Thursday, January 17, 2013
4:16 PM

New Blackburn boss Michael Appleton has warned West Ham they will have to up the ante if they are serious about signing defender Martin Olsson.

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce lodged a £2million bid for the Swede, which was turned down flat by Rovers.

Although Allardyce has insisted he was not prepared to increase the bid, it is thought a further offer has been forthcoming.

However, the 24-year-old remains a Rovers player, with Appleton insisting Olsson will not be allowed to leave on the cheap.

“Nothing is happening at the minute,” said Appleton.

“I was made aware of a bid that was put in before I took the reins but it is way below the value we see him at.

“Until a bid reaches the valuation we think it should be, there is not a conversation.

“Martin continues to be a Blackburn player.

“He is a fantastic player, an international with bags of talent, and I am looking forward to working with him.”

However, with Olsson hoping to leave Ewood Park this month, a transfer does seem likely eventually.

Indeed, Appleton believes a certain amount of movement would actually be healthy for a club that desperately needs to kick-start their season if they are to stand any chance of reclaiming their top-flight status.

“We have a couple of weeks left,” he said.

“As with any football club, some players will leave, others will come in. But a few new faces will do the club a world of good.

“It will bring fresh competition, but it has to be players who will affect the starting XI, not the 18.”