This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Former Blackburn, Norwich and Swansea full-back Martin Olsson looks set to complete a return to the Championship with West Brom, as the Baggies close in on a deal to sign the free agent, as reported by Swedish media outlet Expressen.

The left-back position has given Slaven Bilic plenty of headaches this season with Kieran Gibbs enduring his fair share of injury problems in recent months while 19-year-old Nathan Ferguson, though performing well, is more comfortable on the right-hand side.

Olsson, then, could be an astute addition for a Baggies team who are still top of the Championship table despite failing to win any of their last five league games.

So would Olsson be a good signing for the Baggies and is he actually needed?

We discuss.........

Ethan Van Ristell

"The Baggies getting Olsson in to trial with the team is a sign of their intent to bring in another left-back, but this deal could prove to be a risk on their part.

"The Swede has been without a club since leaving Swansea in December 2018, and at the age of 31, he is also coming to the latter stage of his career.

"Despite being a free agent at the moment, Olsson has good experience of both the Premier League and the Championship, and could be a good short term option for Slaven Bilic to improve the numbers in his squad.

"Olsson could also be needed at the club. An injury suffered to first-choice left-back Kieran Gibbs has ruled him out for a month. In my view, this is a risky move, considering his lack of football in the last year."

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Louie Chandler

"I think this could be a useful signing for Bilic and his side.

"Olsson has had a tough time of it over the last two or three seasons and time is running out for him to prove himself capable in the second tier.

"But as a free-agent it is unlikely to do the Baggies any damage even if he is not a success and I imagine he will arrive at the Hawthornes with a real point to prove.

"Ferguson and Gibbs have both been very good this season, however, so I would only bring the Swede in if I were sure it would not affect any other deals that could be in the offing."

Phil Spencer

“This would be a very shrewd addition.

“With Kieran Gibbs out of action, a move for the experienced defender could be the perfect solution to help West Brom over the line.

“Granted, he hasn’t played first team football in over a year but if Olsson can prove his fitness then he could be a real asset to West Brom.

“After-all, he’s been there and done it in this league before.”