Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer he wants to keep defender Martin Olsson at the club, but he has admitted that it may be extremely difficult to keep the Swedish international in the Championship. Olsson has been linked with a move away from Ewood Park ever since the relegation of the club from the Premier league. He has been linked with the likes of Norwich in the past, while there was even a time when he was linked with a move to Chelsea as well. Now, he appears ever closer to leaving Ewood Park after the club failed to secure promotion last season.

The defender, who is also capable of playing in the midfield, has not officially requested for a transfer away from the club. However, it is very well known that he is not happy at Blackburn right now. The club will also have to reduce the wage bill and selling Olsson will help them achieve it. The Swedish international has been at Blackburn since 2006. During this period, he has made 146 appearances for the club in all competitions. Given his age and talent, he has found no shortage of takers since the relegation of Blackburn from the Premier league.

“He might have ambitions to play in the Premier League, and I do understand there’s a World Cup coming up as well. Martin is still valued by ourselves. He’s a quality player and a full international. I had a good conversation with him on Friday. I said it would be up to him in terms of what he wanted to do, and if things don’t work out for him where he wants to possibly go to, he’d be welcomed back into the squad,” said the Blackburn manager. Pressure is on Bowyer to deliver the results and get the club into the top flight once again.