Sheffield United braced for fresh Coventry City transfer move as Gus Hamer saga heats up
Sheffield United swiftly rejected Coventry City's opening offer for Gustavo Hamer, but The Star understands the Blades expect the Premier League newcomers to return with an improved bid for their star forward.
Sheffield United top brass expect Coventry City to return with an improved bid for Gustavo Hamer, The Star understands, despite their initial offer being swiftly rejected. The United No.8 is a wanted man ahead of this weekend’s season start.
United rebuffed Coventry’s opening bid for their former player, who is understood to be keen on the chance to return to the Midlands. But United have made it clear that any potential sale will be on their terms.
The suggestion is that City’s opening bid was around half of United’s valuation of a player who is now in the final 12 months of his deal, although we have been unable to verify that claim from a well-placed source.
But it seems to fit into the general understanding that the two clubs are some way apart on their valuation of a man who was named Championship player of the year just over a year ago.
Those in the corridors of power at Bramall Lane don’t expect the first bid to signal the end of Coventry’s interest, though, and are braced for a further offer, perhaps this week. Coventry’s season doesn’t start until August 21 after they were promoted to the Premier League last term.
The move now seems more of a ‘when’ than ‘if’, with a swift resolution envisaged once Coventry agree to meet United’s asking price for a 29-year-old who has been taken to the heart of Unitedites since he arrived from Coventry three years ago.
United’s biggest headache if he leaves will be replacing the star quality he is capable of bringing but bringing in a natural left winger could help redress the balance of the squad a little.
It could also deliver some timely funds amid the Blades’ pursuit of Harry Souttar, with Argentine centre-half Nicolás Valentini also emerging as a potential option amid United’s search for two new centre-halves before the start of the season this weekend.