Sheffield United can find clear Gus Hamer transfer solution - It’s seriously exciting | OneFootball

Oliver Antman enjoyed a breakout year in the Eredivisie last season and could set the Championship alight at Sheffield United

Five years on from Gustavo Hamer's switch from the Eredivisie to the Championship, another star from the Dutch league may be set to bring their talents to the English second tier.

And ironically enough, his arrival may be to replace Hamer himself.

Sheffield United are reportedly in the race with Rangers to bring creative Finnish winger Oliver Antman to the club, following a breakout year in the Netherlands with Go Ahead Eagles.

The 23-year-old contributed to 21 goals in 32 league games last season, which included a league-best 15 assists.

Before this season, Antman's best goal-contributing season came in 2021/22, where he scored just five times and assisted twice for Nordsjælland in Denmark.

So, with the 22-time Finnish international playing easily the best football of his career so far, teams should be striking while the iron is hot and forming a disorderly queue to secure his services. And if it is Ruben Selles' side who do so, then the Championship will be on high alert as Antman has all the qualities to truly excel in the second tier.

If Gustavo Hamer wants out, Oliver Antman should be Sheffield United's main target

Losing Hamer will be a huge blow for Sheffield United, as the Dutchman has come off the back of winning the Championship's Player of the Season, and has all the ability to go and win it again in 2025/26.

However, the 28-year-old still has ambitions of playing in the Premier League, even if interest in him has cooled off slightly since the end of the 2024/25 term.

If Hamer does see his future lying away from Bramall Lane, then the Blades should move quickly to secure Antman's services from Go Ahead Eagles.

The Finnish international came into his own last season with six goals and 15 assists in the Dutch top flight. His 50 chances created placed him in the top 5% of right-wingers in the Eredivisie last season, too.

This was for a side who finished seventh last term, hardly troubling the European places in the division. Some may say he's ready for a higher step up than Sheffield United, but the Blades would represent a solid next step for Antman.

Playing mostly from the right, the 23-year-old can also operate from the left-hand side, where Hamer played mostly last season. So, if their Dutch star does decide to depart Bramall Lane this summer, Antman could easily fill that void on the left.

However, with the likes of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Rhian Brewster also departing this summer, the two players who Chris Wilder opted to play out on the right for the majority of last season, Antman could simply slot in on the right, where he is most comfortable.

Sheffield United should pursue Oliver Antman even if Gustavo Hamer remains at Bramall Lane

Whilst the exciting Antman could be brought in to fill the creative hole in the squad left by a possible Hamer departure, the 23-year-old arguably should be brought in even if the Dutchman stays.

As alluded to before, Antman operates best on the right, so his arrival wouldn't specifically spell the end of Hamer, who could still play out on the left.

But, even if the Finn is signed to play on the left, Hamer could move into the middle 'number 10' role, where he is most comfortable anyway. Then, if Selles does opt for a formation which includes three playing behind a sole striker, Sheffield United could have an attacking three of Antman, Hamer and Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry.

All three of those have plenty of goals and assists in their lockers, and Selles would have an incredibly dangerous attack if all three could stay onside and healthy at the club.

With Hamer's interest cooling slightly as of late, it could be a viable option that he stays at Bramall Lane. But if he does, that shouldn't spell the end of their interest in Antman.