Leeds United should forget Sheffield United transfer and leave door open for Everton | OneFootball

Leeds should target midfielders who are better suited to them than Gustavo Hamer.

Leeds United will surely be set for a busy summer as they look to strengthen their squad to take on the Premier League.

Daniel Farke’s side were promoted from the second tier as champions, having amassed an impressive 100 points over the course of the season.

The Whites arguably had more firepower than any other team in the division. However, such is the strength of the top flight at present that they will likely have to make significant investments to their squad over the summer if they are to have a chance of survival.

The Elland Road outfit have already been linked with several players ahead of their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2023, including Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer.

However, it could make more sense for Farke and the club’s hierarchy to end their pursuit of the Dutchman and allow Everton to win the race for his signature instead.

Hamer is unlikely to be playing in the Championship next term

Sheffield United’s play-off final defeat to Sunderland last weekend looks set to have significant ramifications for their fortunes over the next few seasons, not just next season.

The Blades were in the race for automatic promotion alongside Leeds and Burnley for the vast majority of the season, but have ultimately been consigned to another year of Championship football.

As a result, there are several members of their squad who will be perceived as too good to play another season in the second tier, and could well be poached by clubs elsewhere.

One of those players is sure to be Gustavo Hamer.

Hamer has had an excellent season for Chris Wilder’s side, with his final league tally of nine goals and seven assists from midfield enough to see him named as the Championship's Player of the Season.

The 27-year-old had previously posted similar numbers with Coventry City during the 2022/23 campaign, which also saw the Sky Blues fall to defeat under the Wembley arch.

While Hamer has continually proved himself to be a game-changer at Championship level, he also showed plenty of positive signs during his brief taste of the Premier League.

He notched four goals and six assists for United in what was a woeful attempt to preserve their top-flight status back in 2023/24. Hamer was arguably the Blades’ standout player that season, and must surely be desperate to get another shot at the top flight while he is still on the right side of 30.

With that in mind, it seems highly likely that he won’t be at Bramall Lane by the time next term comes around.

Leeds should halt their pursuit of Hamer

Over the last month, both Leeds and Everton have been linked with a move for Hamer.

Those links are likely to gather pace, now that promotion is definitely off the table for Sheffield United.

However, while Hamer is undoubtedly a fantastic player, who is ready to show what he is capable of at Premier League level once again, Leeds may be better served by ending their pursuit of him and switching their focus towards other midfield options.

The Whites are already blessed with a wealth of quality in their midfield areas, with the likes of Ethan Ampadu (pictured) and Ao Tanaka within their ranks. While they will surely welcome more additions in that area of the pitch during the summer, a move for a player who would complement that duo slightly better could be more beneficial for them at this moment in time.

Tanaka is a technically gifted, creative player, and Hamer also fits into that mould. Rather than adding another player who would bring a similar skillset to the midfielders already at the club, Leeds could instead target a more energetic and destructive ball-winner to bring them a little more power in the middle of the park alongside Amapdu (pictured). Whilst it's true someone like Hamer could replace Joe Rothwell, who is heading back to AFC Bournemouth after a loan, it's not really cost-effective.

When you then consider the fact that Hamer would likely cost Leeds a fairly significant fee if they were to bring him in, it may make more sense for them to retract their interest and allow him to join Everton instead.