Sheffield United should have Gus Hamer priority this summer: View | OneFootball

Gustavo Hamer has been a shining light in a dark season for Sheffield United.

He joined the Blades from Coventry City last summer for an initial fee of £15m, after impressing in his three years at the CBS Arena after following his arrival from PEC Zwolle in 2020.

Hamer is a natural box-to-box midfielder that covers the pitch with his defending and attacking play, and won the Sky Blues' Player of the Year in two consecutive seasons for his impressive exploits, even scoring in the 2022/23 play-off final as they eventually lost out on penalties to Luton Town.

His August move to Bramall Lane brought about a new experience for him in the Premier League - but it has not gone to plan for the club, despite his good individual season.

Paul Heckingbottom and Chris Wilder have been unable to keep United up, with the club relegated straight back to the second-tier after only amassing a dismal 16 points.

Hamer's debut season has been ideal from an individual standpoint, with some brilliant performances among his 34 league starts, the most of any Blades player in the squad.

United must place a huge onus on retaining his services this summer, as he could play a huge part in their Championship rebuild next season at the heart of their midfield.

Hamer has been different class

The 2023/24 season saw the Blades set some unwanted Premier League records in a miserable season in South Yorkshire.

They conceded the most goals in one season of any Premier League team ever (104), including when the league had 42 games from 1992 to 1995, becoming the first side in a 38-game season to concede 100 goals.

Wilder's side accrued just 16 points across those 38 games - the joint third-worst in Premier League history behind only Derby County (11, 2007/08) and Sunderland (15, 2005/06).

One man who gave the Blades' fans something to cheer about was Hamer - his ten combined league goals and assists from central midfield were the most of any player in their squad throughout the season.

Compared to the rest of his teammates, he ranked first for key passes per 90 with 2.17, first for shot-creating actions per 90 with 3.59 and second for progressive passes per 90 with 4.18 - according to fbref.

He set the tone for an impressive personal season by netting the leveller on his debut against Nottingham Forest in August, following that up by scoring the opener away at Spurs a month later.

Hamer started nine of the ten league games that the Blades picked up points in, and even played a key part in the one that he didn't start, by laying on a late assist for Cameron Archer at Aston Villa in December.

Given his form, it was no surprise to see the 26-year-old pick up the Player of the Year award at the club's end of season awards dinner.

Hamer will have transfer interest

It seems naive to think that the Dutch youth international would not have offers this summer after the Blades' relegation - he was one of the best midfielders in the Championship for Coventry in 2022/23, and now has another season of experience under his belt and will surely be coveted by top-flight teams either in England or abroad.

Journalist Alan Nixon recently reported via his Patreon account that the Blades are willing to listen to offers worth up to £15 million for him this summer.

In an interview with the Star, Wilder admitted that the club is in a tough spot when it comes to keeping their star man this summer.

He said: "There will be rumours and understandably so, but Gus has been a success, he brings an excitement to the team and an ability at the top of the pitch and I know how much the fans think of him - he's a crowd favourite.

"We are in a little bit of a vulnerable position...I can't sit here and categorically say (he's) going to be here for the next five years."

That does not make good reading for Sheffield United fans, with the club possibly resigned to losing Hamer as he is their most valuable player, with other high-value players like Anel Ahmedhodzic and Vinicius Souza failing to impress in the top flight and now unlikely to command a similarly sizeable fee.

With that said, the club must do all in their power to keep Hamer - he will be key to Wilder's plans if they are to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.