Leeds United were interested in a deal for Gustavo Hamer earlier this summer until Sheffield United swooped into win the race.
And according to Phil Hay, who was speaking on the latest episode of the Square Ball Podcast, Leeds had ‘courted’ Hamer enough so much so that he was keen on a move to Elland Road.
Leeds had been linked with a move for Hamer throughout the summer and according to Alan Nixon, were among the sides to have seen a bid knocked back.
Coventry City were demanding £15 million to allow Hamer to leave and no club had taken the bait until Sheffield United moved quickly to secure a deal two weeks ago.
The Blades had been hamstrung financially earlier in the window but the sales of Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge freed up the funds needed to meet Coventry’s asking price.
Hay says Hamer was open to Leeds before Sheffield United move
Hay had been discussing Leeds’ successful pursuit of Joel Piroe, in which he claimed they were desperate to secure quickly after being gazumped in deals earlier in the summer.
And it appears as though Hamer was one of those, with the Brazilian-born midfielder having been keen on a move to Leeds after the groundwork that was done.
Hay said: “They had obviously been smoked by Bournemouth with Max Aarons. They had courted Gustavo Hamer enough to the point that he was pretty interested in coming but Sheffield United bid £15 million and that was that.”
Ultimately, regardless of the stature, once a Premier League club comes calling it becomes very difficult for sides like Leeds to compete.
Given the quality Hamer has, it is more frustrating to hear the fact that he was keen to move to Elland Road before Sheffield United won the race.
However, clearly Leeds have learned from their mistakes if the signing of Piroe is anything to go by and hopefully there will be more to come.
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