Chris Wilder addresses Gus Hamer transfer speculation with Sheffield United stance clear amid Coventry City interest
Chris Wilder has not attempted to deny interest in Sheffield United star man Gus Hamer from Coventry City, but as far as he is concerned it is business as usual for the time being
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has acknowledged interest from Coventry City in key man Gus Hamer - but is pleased with the forward’s commitment to the Blades amid ongoing talk over his future. Hamer’s Bramall Lane future is in doubt amid interest from his former club.
But the Blades are yet to reach any agreement with Coventry over their talisman, who was on the teamsheet for United as they rounded off their unbeaten pre-season with a goalless draw at Bochum.
Their stance has not changed - if City meet the asking price on the player’s head then they will do business, with the player now in the final year of his Bramall Lane contract. But until then, he will remain a United player.
“I don't know if you realise, but I've just walked off the pitch,” smiled Wilder when asked about Hamer’s future. “I've had five minutes with my team and walked up to the media room.
“We'll check in, but Gus had a red and white shirt on today. You've seen his actions. You've seen his attitude towards the game. You've seen the positions he got in. You saw his reaction when a couple of things didn't come off.
“He's not come to me and said he didn't want to play or this, that and the other. There has been interest, of course. I think that's out there, but as far as I'm concerned, he's a Sheffield United player.
“He's put his shirt on and he's given everything for the club, which I expect of every one of my players.”
Wilder was more animated when addressing a cheeky loan-to-buy bid from Sassuolo for right-back Femi Seriki, which contained an obligation to make it permanent in the future. As we revealed last night, the offer was swiftly rejected.
“Why would I let anybody go out on loan? It’s been knocked back, 100 per cent. He's our player. We want to talk about tying Femi down to a longer-term contract. There's talk about tying a few of our younger players down to longer-term contracts.
“But why would I give him away on loan? I've said all along, never giving players away. Loaning to another club in another division doesn't make sense to me. It doesn't make sense to Steve Bettis, and certainly doesn't make sense for the club.”