Leeds United spark outrage for ‘what they did’ after Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter transfers
Leeds United generated outrage at local rivals Sheffield United with their attempt to sign Gustavo Hamer after Chris Wilder slammed the “low-ball” offer.
The Blades boss returned to the subject on Deadline Day (30 August) to expand on his feelings after the Whites made a low offer for star the star midfielder.
He had previously refrained from naming Leeds when describing the rejected £13million bid for the Dutchman as “a million miles” off [The Star, 26 August], but was direct in his criticism on deadline day in light of the huge fees brought in for selling the likes of Archie Gray to Tottenham and Georginio Rutter to Brighton.
He said, via The Star: “With Gus, we talked about it from a Leeds point of view and what they did. I will always be honest with you and you know what I thought about it.
“They sold two players for £40m each and ridiculously low-balled us for our best player.
“I’m not here to appease anyone up the road, I’m here for Sheffield United Football Club and its best interests. The number was ridiculously low.”
Chris Wilder furious at Leeds United over Gustavo Hamer
The Whites’ probably confounded their own fans as much as Sheffield United’s with their brief, and all-too-late, pursuit of Hamer.
A target a year ago before he left Coventry City for Bramall Lane [Voetbal Rotterdam], he would likely have been an excellent addition to Daniel Farke’s squad this summer.
But £13m was never going to be successful if the Blades had a say in the matter when the clubs are local rivals and Hamer was their player of the year last term.
It might have made sense if Leeds then upped the bid during negotiations but it quickly emerged that they did not intend to advance on the initial offer [Adam Pope, 26 August].
It was all the more bizarre when Alan Nixon reported via Patreon on 26 August that Hamer did actually have a relegation release clause in his contract that meant he was available for that price before it expired.
And when it was reported by Transfer Watch in the Netherlands on 27 August that Hamer had apparently agreed personal terms on an Elland Road move it made the failure to take advantage of the opportunity when it had been available all the more baffling.
The Whites seemingly could have landed a quality player at a cut-price but ultimately only served to wind up Wilder, which admittedly isn’t that hard [Guardian, 20 February].
In other Leeds United news, the Whites ultimately succeeded on the final day of the window after a “priority” emerged.
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