West Ham boss hits out at Blackburn over Olsson valuation

West Ham had an opening offer of £2million turned down by the Championship club, who are reportedly demanding in excess of £4.5m for the Sweden international.

Allardyce, who worked with Olsson during his time at Ewood Park, believes the 24-year-old’s price tag is inflated as Blackburn look to capitalise on the Hammers’ urgent need for defenders.

But while he believes the price could be lowered as Thursday’s transfer deadline nears, Allardyce insists he has turned his attention elsewhere since signing Emanuel Pogatetz on loan from Wolfsburg.

“I think it is based on how desperate they think we are,” said Allardyce of Olsson’s valuation.

“Everybody talks about an inflated window and I think that is the case until the last two days.

“Martin Olsson was of interest to me and I couldn’t see anyone else going for him.”

He continued: “I was interested in him because I developed him as a left back in the Premier League in my time at Blackburn, so I know the player well and what has happened to him since then is a decline.

“If there were other clubs going for him too I could understand the valuation but there isn’t anybody.

“I’m not saying they won’t get that price, they might in the next couple of days, but we went and made our offer and then decided to move into another area.”