Chris Wilder makes Gus Hamer Sheffield United future admission after long-time Leeds United target linked with bargain transfer switch
Chris Wilder makes Gus Hamer Sheffield United future admission after long-time Leeds United target linked with bargain transfer switch
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has urged star man Gus Hamer to keep his focus on football rather than his future amid more speculation over a potential Blades exit this week. The United forward is now in the final 18 months of his Bramall Lane deal.
And that has not gone unnoticed elsewhere, with reports this week that a number of clubs are eyeing a potential move for the 28-year-old - with a shock £6m fee mooted. That would represent a big haircut from the fee United paid Coventry City for the forward back in 2023.
Hamer has not hit the heights of last season, which saw him crowned the Championship player of the year despite United’s promotion attempt being thwarted in the play-off final, this time around but he showed his undoubted quality again last weekend with a long-range stunner in a 4-3 FA Cup defeat to Mansfield Town.
Leeds United are long-time admirers of the Brazilian-born Dutch forward while Trabzonspor, Sevilla and Cremonese have been credited with interest in this current transfer window.
Chris Wilder makes Gus Hamer Sheffield United future admission after long-time Leeds United target linked with bargain transfer switch
United are keen to avoid repeats of the Iliman Ndiaye, Sander Berge and Anel Ahmedhodzic situations in recent years, when all three players were sold at knock-down prices after entering the final years of their Bramall Lane deals, and broached the idea of extended terms with Hamer’s representatives earlier this year.
And, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Charlton Athletic at the Valley, Wilder said: “There's been a discussion between Carl Shieber [United’s head of football administration] and his [Hamer’s] agent. So I've not really got involved in that.
“I think they've opened it up. But it’s left with them to see what the approach or enthusiasm from Gus is. And what his ambitions are, and where he sees his future as well. The most important thing is that he looks after the football. And he produces performances.
“He puts himself in a good position, whether it's here or whether his future's elsewhere. And that's always a massive thing. Patrick [Bamford] did exactly the same. He put himself in the driving seat by producing really good performances in training and really good performances on the pitch. And he put himself in a great position.
“That's the ability players have if they go about the business the right way. I want to keep my best players in the building. Understanding, as well, that if somebody doesn't want to be here, then that's a different situation.
And if somebody wants to purchase him for a price that the club feel is acceptable and worthwhile, then a deal's done. We want our best players. We want to build a good squad. And the squad's looking better, in a lot of ways, than it did when we first walked in the door.”