"A cheeky bid" - Leeds United encouraged to take January action over Sheffield United's Gus Hamer | OneFootball

FLW's Leeds United fan pundit hopes the Whites bid for Gus Hamer in January, even though the chances of Sheffield United accepting are slim to none.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United may well be in the market for an attacking midfielder in January, having missed out on Sheffield United's Gus Hamer in the summer.

The Whites had been desperate to bolster the midfield engine room across the summer window, where they have been subjected to a second consecutive squad exodus with a host of big-name departures being sanctioned, including those of Glen Kamara and Archie Gray.

It left Daniel Farke to undertake a real squad rebuilding exercise for the second time in as many summers, with the likes of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell coming in to bolster their ranks. They didn't stop there, though, with Hamer a serious option for the Whites late on in the window.

Leeds failed in their attempts to sign Hamer in a deal worth £13 million, according to The Star. BBC Sport's Leeds United correspondent Adam Pope then did not believe the Whites would return with a second bid for Sheffield United's star man in the summer after it was reported that they valued him at £18 million.

The Dutchman has been a long-term target for the club for some time now, as exclusively revealed by Football League World, when he was a target last summer before leaving Coventry City for Premier League football with the Blades.

Leeds United touted to revive a move for Gus Hamer of Sheffield United

Leeds' decision to sell Georginio Rutter in the summer of 2024 has left them with a lack of a creative No.10, which may be an issue in some games this season.

That's despite a solid start to the campaign currently, and creative players such as Willy Gnonto and new signing Largie Ramazani impressing on the wings.

Hamer is a versatile midfielder who can operate in a variety of midfield roles, and Football League World's resident Whites fan pundit Kris Smith was asked whether he believes Leeds should renew their efforts to sign the Sheffield United midfield maestro in January.

Kris told FLW: "Given the fact Leeds are in direct competition with Sheffield United to gain promotion this season, and obviously being Yorkshire rivals as well, I don't see a world where they would let us sign Gustavo Hamer.

"It doesn't mean a cheeky bid should be completely ruled out, and we obviously put one in during the summer, because the Blades haven't been taken over.

"If they haven't been taken over by the time January rolls around, which seems likely with the amount of delays and whatnot on those bids, then who knows what might happen in the transfer window for them?

"Leeds could potentially take advantage. It's unlikely but worth a try. That said, though, he is simply too good of a player for a promotion rival to let leave without it being an enormous sum.

"I don't think Leeds have the money to put up what Sheffield United would want for Hamer. That's especially so when we are alongside them for the title this season, and the Yorkshire rivalry that goes with it.

"Looking more generally at the transfer window for Leeds, there is the £13 million we set aside for Hamer and bid. I do think that would solve a lot of our issues in the New Year if we are looking for more than one or two signings."

Hamer only joined Sheffield United last summer from Coventry City in a deal worth £15 million, according to The Athletic. He was one of only a few players that were able to come out of the 2023/24 campaign with much credit in a red and white shirt.

His individual brilliance often unlocked doors for the Blades, which is an area where Leeds could use one more signing to strengthen Farke’s options for the remainder of the season. Leeds came up short in securing a similar profile of attacking midfielder who could be a difference-maker, much like Rutter was.

They need someone who can offer the creativity and technical quality that could elevate the team’s attacking play, and a signing of this nature in January could be the difference between a strong promotion push and absolutely cementing their place at the top.

Hamer has a broad skill-set for a midfielder, but above all, his vision and ability to pick out key passes make him a valuable asset in chance creation. He can punch passes and break lines in a multitude of different ways with different pass-types in his locker.

That is especially important for teams looking to break down deep-lying defences in a low-block, which Leeds are regularly facing at the moment. He has the ability to unlock that and provide the spark needed to turn draws into wins, and that is something that is invaluable to promotion-chasing sides.

His profile is vital to the Blades in acting as the creative hub that connects midfield to attack. His dribbling and passing range would offer the team a new dimension, allowing him to unlock the opposition's deep block or exploit gaps left by aggressive pressing.

It may not be Hamer as the answer, but it is something that must be on Leeds' wishlist in January.