West Ham and Wolves must eye Gus Hamer opportunity as Sheffield United face dilemma | OneFootball

West Ham and Wolves should both consider moves for Sheffield United's Gus Hamer this summer

West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers will be playing in the Championship together next season for the first time in over 20 years, and both will be looking to make their time in the second tier as short as possible.

West Ham and Wolves were sandwiched by Burnley in the Premier League bottom three this campaign, as each side suffered the unfortunate reality of relegation to the Championship.

For the Irons, their 14-year stay in the top-flight comes to an end just three years after lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League, whilst Wolves' eight-year stay, in which they reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League and an FA Cup final, is over. Both present a stark reminder to those at the summit of the game that their position there cannot be taken for granted.

Both clubs will almost certainly be undergoing huge squad rebuilds this summer, with an array of exits expected out of the London Stadium and Molineux before incomings can truly commence.

Wolves have announced the capture of Kieran Trippier on a free transfer following his release from Newcastle United, and their next signing should be that of a cut-price deal for one of the Championship's most creative players, who are at the peak of their powers, as West Ham should join the race.

West Ham United and Wolves should plot moves for Sheffield United's Gus Hamer amid the Dutchman's contract situation

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Following relegation, the expectation placed upon the three relegated sides, in particular West Ham and Wolves, will be monumental, and they must be prepared to live up to those expectations.

Whilst Burnley have suffered three Premier League relegations in the past five years, both West Ham and Wolves have been staples of the top flight for much of the past decade, and their return to the second tier brings the pair a huge financial advantage, which they simply must make the most of.

Both will be keen to ensure their time in the Championship is as short-lived as it can, and both can help those ambitions by completing the capture of Sheffield United midfielder Gus Hamer this summer.

Hamer, 28, first moved to the English leagues from his native Netherlands with Coventry City in 2020, and across the next three seasons, he would score 19 and assist 24 in 132 appearances across all competitions for the Sky Blues.

The Brazilian-born Dutch midfielder would earn a £15 million move to Sheffield United in the summer of 2023, signing a four-year deal at Bramall Lane, and is now entering the final 12 months of those terms, with few signs of extending his stay in South Yorkshire.

Hamer notched 12 assists in the second tier in the season just gone, the most in the division, one ahead of Stoke City's Sorba Thomas, and has consistently been by far and away one of the division's best players since his arrival on the shores.

With Sheffield United running out of parachute payments this summer and in need to raise funds, given Hamer's contract situation, it makes sense that he is one of the most likely players to be moved on this summer to bring in some money, and both the relegated duo of West Ham and Wolves should be looking to take advantage of just that.

West Ham have been previously touted with a move for the Dutchman, but face competition from the long-term interest of Leeds United, whilst Turkish side Trabzonspor have had their name thrown into the mix over a potential move.

Capable of playing anywhere behind the striker and in midfield, Hamer's versatility is just another string to his bow, and at 28, he is entering the prime of his career, and on a cut-price deal, there will be few better options on the market this summer.

Nuno Espirito Santo and Rob Edwards should go head-to-head for Gus Hamer's signature at West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer

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West Ham and Wolves will likely be involved in numerous conversations together over the summer when it comes to potential signings, and in the prospect of Hamer, that will almost certainly be the case.

The Dutchman will surely be on his way out of Bramall Lane this summer, and links to those at the summit of the Championship will almost certainly follow.

Whilst nothing concrete is on the cards at the moment, West Ham and Wolves ought to be fighting to be at the front of the queue for Hamer's signature, with the Dutchman possesing the ability to fire both back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.