Leeds United ‘greedily circling’ Coventry City for ‘excellent’ Gustavo Hamer deal to strengthen worst relegated squad
Leeds United have the “weakest” squad of all the relegated sides in the Championship this season and could struggle to adapt because, despite their size, they are “crap”, claims Rod Liddle in The Times.
The Whites have already lost a host of last season’s first-team squad, with Rodrigo sold to Al-Rayyan and Max Wober the most effective of the exodus of loanees, made up of Brenden Aaronson, Robin Koch, Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen and Diego Llorente.
More could yet follow and so far Daniel Farke has only been able to secure Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea and Karl Darlow from Newcastle in the opposite direction, so it is perhaps no surprise they are “greedily circling” Gustavo Hamer from rivals Coventry City, who are also tipped for a tough time after already losing one key man in Viktor Gyokeres following their run to the play-off final.
Liddle claims in The Times on Sunday (30 July): “Leeds, for instance, may have vast support and a certain pedigree, but they are also crap, which is why they got relegated.
“Of all the sides coming down, the Yorkshiremen have probably the weakest squad of players and it may take them a while to adjust to the otherwise familiar surroundings of the Championship.
“Of the clubs that narrowly missed out on promotion, Coventry City are likely to be competing without their two most lethal players.
“Viktor Gyokeres, probably the best natural finisher outside the top division, has already left for Sporting Lisbon and various Premier League vultures (as well as Leeds) are greedily circling around the excellent Gustavo Hamer.”
Uphill
It could be argued how much some of the names who have left Elland Road already this summer would have contributed based on their time at the club so far.
But after huge upheaval at the club, including the takeover and the managerial change, the transfer business has been badly delayed and left Leeds United playing catch up.
Whether they will be “crap” will depend on Farke’s ability to adapt on the fly as his squad inevitably changes between now and the transfer window closing.
Darlow’s arrival finally provides an answer for a major question in goal should Illan Meslier yet leave as widely expected.
But Wober’s exit is definitely a blow and makes defence a bigger priority than before, with a left-back also wanted for multiple windows now.
Similarly, a number nine to take the load of Patrick Bamford is yet again a requirement, and more help in central midfield looks a must after all of Roca, Adam Forshaw and Weston McKennie left, while Tyler Adams’ future is in the balance.
Hamer, 26, would be a very pleasing signing for the Leeds United fanbase as a proven performer in this division who contributed a combined 21 goals and assists last season.
The Sky Blues will obviously be loath to lose him, but he is said to have failed to sign a contract extension amid transfer interest this summer, so if he is ready to move he could be gettable, even if it won’t be easy.
Leeds struggling this term is far from a universal opinion, but chances of bouncing back to the top flight at the first go would certainly be aided if some more signings are made soon, and Hamer wouldn’t go amiss.
In other Leeds United news, a highly-rated £15m defender is available and the Whites have now joined the race after rivals failed to make progress on a deal.