West Ham's hopes of signing Blackburn defender Martin Olsson were fading today following their reluctance to increase their bid for the 24-year-old.
The Upton Park club have had a £2million bid for Olsson (above) rejected by Blackburn, whose new manager Michael Appleton said the offer was “way below what we rate the player at”.
West Ham say they are unlikely to return with an improved offer, though, and are looking at other options abroad as they look to sign both a left-back and a central defender before the transfer window closes.
West Ham’s 31-year-old midfielder Alou Diarra is said to be interesting Espanyol, while Mohamed Diame, who made his return after injury in Wednesday night’s FA Cup replay at Manchester United, is being tracked by Arsenal.
Captain Kevin Nolan and midfielder Mark Noble look likely to be recalled to Allardyce’s team for tomorrow’s home match against bottom of the table Queens Park Rangers. Noble has been out with a calf strain, while Nolan was rested for the Cup tie. Republic of Ireland defender Joey O’Brien could also return after a hamstring injury to replace teenager Danny Potts.
Marouane Chamakh, on loan from Arsenal, is also included in West Ham’s squad but Wales defender James Collins is likely to be out for up two months with a torn hamstring.
