Coventry City struck transfer gold with European transfer - he's now worth millions | OneFootball

Coventry signed Gustavo Hamer for £1.5m and sold him for £15m, a masterstroke that highlights their smart recruitment strategy.

Coventry City's transfer dealings have often flown under the radar, but their 2020 move for Dutch-Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Hamer proved to be a stroke of genius, and an absolute bargain.

Signed from PEC Zwolle for just £1.5 million, Hamer steadily became a key figure at the CBS Arena. Three seasons, 19 goals, 23 assists, and a £15 million Premier League move later, it is safe to say that the Sky Blues struck gold with Hamer.

Gus Hamer - A European gamble that paid off

At the time of his arrival, Coventry were preparing for life back in the Championship, having endured years of turmoil. But in Hamer, the club had identified a gem in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Hamer had just finished a productive season at PEC Zwolle, racking up 10 goal contributions in 25 matches. Subsequently, Coventry broke the £1 million barrier for the first time in over a decade to bring him to England.

It was a gamble that would prove to pay off.

Gus Hamer's rise at the CBS Arena

In his debut season, Hamer made an immediate impact. He quickly became a fixture in Mark Robins' midfield, yielding five goals and three assists.

Over the next two campaigns, Hamer blossomed into one of the Championship's top midfielders. His 2021/22 season saw him notch ten assists, and by 2022/23, he had transformed into Coventry's talisman alongside Viktor Gyökeres.

Hamer produced nine goals and ten assists as the Sky Blues pushed into the Championship play-offs.

In the final weeks of the campaign, Hamer was electric, with the midfielder contributing directly to seven goals in Coventry's last five matches to propel them to a top-six finish.

His stunning strike against Middlesbrough in the semi-final and equaliser at Wembley capped a sensational individual season for Hamer.

From bargain buy to £15 million star

Though Coventry ultimately missed out on Premier League promotion following their penalty shootout loss against Luton, Hamer's stock had skyrocketed.

The Premier League came calling regardless, with Sheffield United sealing a £15 million deal in the summer of 2023.

His journey from a mid-table Eredivisie side to one of the Championship's most valuable assets was fantastically profitable for Coventry. The club pocketed a tenfold return on their investment.

Since his move to Sheffield United, Hamer has continued to impress, tallying 15 goals and 16 assists over 84 appearances. His standout performances have not gone unnoticed. According to talkSPORT, Premier League clubs Leeds United and Everton have expressed interest in acquiring his services.

The Blades' county rivals have held an interest in the 27-year-old for a while now. He was linked with a £13 million move to Elland Road last summer, although he has since dismissed that it was a realistic possibility.

Reports state that Sheffield United were looking for £20 million during that saga, so it could be estimated that the Blades will be expecting bids in that region this summer.

Gus Hamer is a model of Coventry's shrewd recruitment

Gus Hamer's rise is not just a story of one player, it is a reflection of Coventry's sharp and forward-thinking recruitment model of recent years.

Under the guidance of Mark Robins prior to his departure last term, the Sky Blues have made a habit of identifying talent across both the EFL and the continent.

The aforementioned Gyökeres, alongside the likes of Milan van Eweijk, Ben Sheaf, and more recently Jack Rudoni, sit at the tip of the iceberg regarding talent unearthed in the Midlands.

Hamer himself is the blueprint for finding quality before the rest of the market catches on. And while promotion wasn't achieved with Hamer at the club, the club's ability to find hidden gems akin to Hamer remains a cornerstone of their recent success as they continue to push for a Premier League place.