Leeds United ‘actively’ pursue Gustavo Hamer transfer from reluctant Coventry City ahead of Fulham
Leeds United have “genuine interest” in Gustavo Hamer and are “actively” trying to do a deal for the Brazilian, according to Dean Jones.
The midfielder has a year left on his contract at Coventry City, which might force them to sell this summer, after playing a key role in their run to the Play-Off final last season, where he scored in the 1-1 draw with Luton Town before a penalty shoot-out defeat.
Fulham are also interested in the 26-year-old but haven’t made a bid [Dharmesh Sheth, 9 July] and it appears that the Whites are pushing ahead of the Premier League club in trying to sign the man they have designs on making their “marquee signing” this summer [Football League World, 9 June].
Former Eurosport journalist Jones said of Hamer on the Fulhamish podcast (10 July, 22m 10s): “He’s a really good player. First and foremost Coventry will not want to lose him.
“They’ve just lost [Viktor] Gyokeres who was obviously the star of that team, but Hamer wasn’t far behind him in terms of how important he was to the way they were able to push for promotion last season, and to lose both those players will be horrible for them.
“Nevertheless, when one goes they are often followed by another and Hamer suddenly has quite a bit of interest around him.
“I think it’s Leeds that are actively looking at him right now, so obviously [Fulham] would have to jump on them. You’ve got to make the most of opportunities like this when they come along.
“I was told by someone at Leeds that that is genuine interest from them, they have been pursuing it.”
Breakaway
The presence of Fulham has the potential to dismantle any hopes Daniel Farke has of landing Hamer this summer as Premier League money and prestige is so hard to compete with outside the top tier.
But if the Cottagers are yet to make a move and Leeds United are already working on their own there is perhaps a window of opportunity to close a deal before it becomes too difficult.
With a combined 21 goals and assists in the Championship season and Play-Off run last season he would add some crucial production from the centre of midfield, which is a transfer priority this summer either way.
Just as the Whites wanted a proven second-tier performer as manager when they went after Farke they have a tried and tested midfield operator in their sights with Hamer.
It certainly won’t be straight forward to get a deal over the line, with further interest almost inevitable, but if effort is already being put into the pursuit then the door is open for now.
The manager has been in place for just a week this summer and now that a series of first-team players have left it will be time to start bringing in replacements very soon.
In other Leeds United news, a highly-effective Championship striker that Phil Hay reports the club want is now “certainly” moving amid news of a medical.