According to Transfer Watch, Gustavo Hamer has agreed to personal terms for a probable transfer to Leeds United.
On August 27, the Dutch media stated on their website that Sheffield United are willing to work with the Whites on a transfer for the midfield star provided they make a significant offer for their Player of the Season.
All parties are thought to be optimistic about reaching an agreement in the coming days, while The Star reported on August 26 that Elland Road’s £13 million bid was rejected as derisory.
However, if they had made the same offer earlier in the window, it would have already been successful, as Alan Nixon reported on Patreon (26 August) that the Dutchman had a relegation release clause in his Blades contract that allowed him to leave for the same price he moved to Bramall Road for a year ago – £13 million plus extras, bringing the total to around £15 million.
That provision has now expired, and BBC Leeds’ Adam Pope stated on August 26 that he does not anticipate the club to increase their offer for Hammer.
Leeds United have been outbid by Sheffield United and their own clause.
If the Whites do not boost their offer, the terms negotiated with Hamer may be null and void, as Chris Wilder has stated that the bid was significantly lower.
The 27-year-old would be a terrific acquisition for Leeds United in the Championship, but it will be quite irritating that a deal might have been completed by now if the club had timed it correctly.
The irony will not be lost on a crowd that has witnessed two summers of their own players departing the club at the drop of a hat due to release provisions in their contracts.
Leeds could have used the same dynamic in reverse this time, and the rejected bid would have been successful if it had been submitted before the clause expired.
Hamer, with his goals and assists from midfield, would have been an upgrade on functional central alternatives last season after being the Blades’ finest player in the Premier League.
However, much as the club was unprepared for the triggering of clauses in Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville’s contracts, they were not prepared to jump in and bring a rival star to Elland Road.
