Forget Olsson, West Ham should sign Derby County’s Craig Forsyth instead

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West Ham United are on the lookout for a new left-back.

According to a recent report in the Daily Mail, West Ham United have seen a £3 million bid for Norwich City’s Martin Olsson turned down as they look for a new left-back this summer.

The Hammers were dealt a blow ahead of their Premier League campaign as regular left-back Aaron Cresswell picked up a lengthy injury and is expected to be out of action for up to six months.

The East London club have spent most of the summer looking to sign a big-named striker in order to boost their top four hopes, yet now a new left-back is arguably their biggest priority.

Reports have linked them with Hull City’s Andrew Robertson and Norwich’s Olsson (Daily Mail), yet both clubs seem desperate to hold on to their players and thus far West Ham have had little luck.

Both players are undoubtedly of Premier League standard, yet with both proving difficult to attain the Hammers should now turn to another left-back with top-flight ability in Derby County’s Craig Forsyth.

The former Watford man started out as a left midfielder, yet under former boss Nigel Clough he soon found himself playing as a regular left-back and it was then he started to show his true potential.

The 27-year-old is often overlooked by Championship observers due to his time at Vicarage Road, but ask any Derby fan and they will say he has been the club’s best left-back this side of the millennium.

Forsyth is excellent in the tackle, strong in the air, quick along the ground and comfortable on the ball, yet last term his campaign was cut short as he was ruled out for the season with injury after just ten games.

The Rams brought in Olsson’s twin brother Marcus from Blackburn Rovers as cover, and now the club have two top left-backs on their books heading into the Championship campaign.

As a result, perhaps Derby would be more willing to sell Forsyth knowing they have an adequate back-up waiting in the wings, and perhaps West Ham could find more luck by going in for the Scot.

Forsyth is without doubt one of the best left-backs outside of the Premier League, and many inside the iPro Stadium feel he has all the attributes needed to go on and play at a high level.