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Daniel Farke must now push for Gustavo Hamer transfer as Marc Roca closes in on Leeds United exit
Marc Roca signed his loan contract at Real Betis on Friday ahead of leaving Leeds United handing Daniel Farke the incentive to make his move for Coventry City playmaker Gustavo Hamer.
Spanish outlet El Desmarque reported on 15 July that the Spaniard is joining Betis on a loan deal that doesn’t include an option-to-buy clause, with Roca already signing his contract with Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
It is understood that while a permanent deal could be negotiated at some point during the loan, there is a chance for the La Liga outfit to extend Roca’s temporary stay for two years if Leeds fail to win promotion back to the Premier League next season.
And Farke may not find a better player to replace the Spaniard’s qualities than Coventry City’s Brazilian maestro.
Football League World reported on 10 June that Leeds United were plotting a “very ambitious” swoop to sign Coventry City midfielder Gustavo Hamer. Former Eurosport journalist Dean Jones said of Hamer on the Fulhamish podcast (10 July, 22m 10s) that the Whites are actively looking at the Brazilian to bolster their squad and there may be no better placeholder player to translate Farke’s progressive and expansive attacking style.
Hamer proved one of Coventry’s star players last season alongside talisman Viktor Gyokeres, contributing to an impressive 11 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions as the Sky Blues missed out on promotion to the Premier League after their playoff final defeat to Luton Town.
Leeds United may well tempt Hamer to join the Elland Road revolution with the right cash-incentive, key squad guarantees and a future project ambition under a progressive manager in Farke. Given Hamer’s extraordinary qualities, it is a move Leeds United and Farke must explore.
Over 41 league appearances, the 26-year-old talent – hailed “unbelievable” by former Coventry City goalkeeper Marko Marosi – showcased his stunning playmaking and creative qualities, something Roca failed to provide last season.
With Leeds set to lose most of their creative outlets, Farke will be desperate for some wizardry and imagination to sharpen his new tactical formula at Elland Road and Hamer provides that in abundance, averaging 1.6 key passes last season whilst recording 16 big chances created [SofaScore].
Hamer isn’t just an influential commodity in the attacking third, but a workhorse and a terrier-like influence in the defensive phases of play too, averaging 2.6 tackles, 1.1 successful dribbles and winning 4.8 duels per game, proving his huge presence and perfect all-rounder invention from a deeper midfield role.
The former Feyenoord ace is a player who can raise the technical floor in the Leeds United midfield and for less than £10million, he could prove an absolute snip and a marquee acquisition for Farke to replicate but more crucially, evolve his attacking pedigree amongst a Leeds United fanbase desperately in need of some joy on home turf again.
This is the kind of signing that could ignite the Elland Road crowd once more and it’d be even more special if they can convince Hamer to stay one more year in the Championship and potentially fill his long-held English top-flight dream next season.
He’s the perfect Roca replacement – a stark upgrade even.
In other Leeds United news, one Whites player has been given extra holiday time amid a Thorp Arch update.