EXCLUSIVE
Two Premier League clubs circle on Championship player of the year after Sheffield United play-off heartbreak
Gustavo Hamer is expected to leave Sheffield United after their play-off final heartbreak, talkSPORT understands.
Leeds and Everton are both interested in signing Hamer, the Championship Player of the Year, who turns 28 next month.
5
5
The Brazilian-born playmaker scored 10 goals and claimed eight assists to fire the Blades to the brink of promotion to the Premier League.
Hamer was visibly upset after Sunderland’s dramatic comeback win at Wembley on Saturday denied his team a place in the top-flight.
United had looked destined for an immediate return to the Premier League after Tyrese Campbell's first-half strike.
However, Eliezer Mayenda equalised with 14 minutes to play to set up a grandstand finish at the Home of Football.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Departing academy graduate Tom Watson then bagged a 95th minute winner for the Black Cats to end their eight-year exile from the elite.
talkSPORT understands Hamer is one of the players Blades chiefs are resigned to losing.
Following the play-off final defeat, Chris Wilder addressed potential player departures.
The Blades boss told the Sheffield Star: "As you can imagine, I’ve not thought about futures – personally, or from a player point of view – being an hour and a half after an incredibly low point of everybody’s careers, really.
Most read in Football
"The players will be incredibly hurting, the supporters will be, the coaching staff will be. But it is what it is, and we’re going to have to deal with it.
Hamer has two years left on his deal at Bramall Lane, having joined United from Coventry in 2023.
5
5
He has since scored 15 goals and added 16 assists in 84 appearances for the club.
Those included one of each in the Championship play-offs after Wilder's side finished third behind Leeds and Burnley.
Leeds could now swoop for Hamer ahead of their return to the top-flight.
Chairman Paraag Marathe has vowed to invest in the squad this summer.
He said: "Together we are going to build the best squad we can, with every penny we are allowed to spend to be competitive in the Premier League.
"We are going to attack the transfer market and it's something I'm really excited about."
5
Sheffield United fell apart! unfair for Sheffield United to play-off a team 22 Pts behind them?
Meanwhile, the Toffees will begin the campaign at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium after leaving Goodison Park.
David Moyes' side finished 13th last term, their highest position for four seasons.