West Ham must improve Martin Olsson bid say Blackburn

Hammers have lodged a £2m offer for the Swede

Chris Cohen of Forest battles with Blackburn’s Martin Olsson (Getty Images)

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."

PA