Everton and Leeds are vying for the 18 G/A Championship player after a "enquiry"

Gustavo Hamer, a playmaker for Sheffield United, is a target for Everton. He may be moving after the Blades failed to qualify for the Premier League.

This season, the 27-year-old has played for Sheff United as a left-winger and an attacking midfielder, two positions Everton is trying to bolster.

With ten goals and eight assists, Hamer was a major contributor to Sheff United's stellar season, which saw them lose the Championship play-off final and only miss out on automatic promotion.

On April 30, Thesportmoment reported that Everton is interested in Hamer and may step up their pursuit in the upcoming weeks. 

The departure of Abdoulaye Doucoure this summer has been announced by the Toffees. 

Though signing Hamer might also be an option, they are negotiating a contract to permanently sign Flamengo loanee Charly Alcaraz, who is thought to be Doucoure's replacement.

But there will be competition for Hamer for Everton. Long-time supporters Leeds United may rekindle their interest in him after promotion after their reported £13 million bid for him was turned down last summer. 

Meanwhile, Fulham and Brentford are "huge admirers" of Hamer and have been "watching him closely" in recent weeks, according to journalist Graeme Bailey's report for EFL Analysis.

Everton makes a "questions" about Gustavo Hamer

Sheff United may have to sell Hamer for the right price if the player insists on a move, even though they would prefer to keep him.

Although the Blades have not yet set a precise price for the dynamic midfield player, rumours indicate that a sum of around £20 million would be sufficient to entice him away from Bramall Lane.

David Moyes wants to add players with Premier League experience, as we have repeatedly reported.

Despite Sheff United's dismal season, Hamer scored four goals and provided seven assists in the top level in 2023–2024.

Additionally, Moyes has no qualms about placing a wager on Championship players. For example, he recruited Jarrod Bowen from Hull City to West Ham and Tim Cahill from Millwall to Everton. 

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Everton has expressed interest in acquiring Hamer, but it is unclear if a formal approach would be made.

Leeds is lurking and other teams are eager, so the Toffees will need to act fast if they want to win the race. No formal negotiations have yet taken place.

Gustavo Hamer: Why it's time to go forward

After three seasons in the Championship with Coventry City, Hamer earned his promotion to the Premier League when Sheffield United acquired him in 2023. 

He made 36 appearances during his first Premier League season, however the Blades were relegated and will now play in the second division for another season after losing in the Championship play-off final. 

However, Hamer may have demonstrated that he is too skilled to remain at that level. 

These are the primary reasons why Hamer is prepared for the next level, based on analysis by Sheffield United specialist James Holland of Thesportmoment.

Although Hamer has always been among the best players in the Championship, he will probably want to step up now as he turns 28 in June. 

Hamer won Championship Player of the Season, even though Sheffield United didn't get promoted. 

Crysencio Summerville (2023–24), Chuba Akpom (2022–23), Aleksandar Mitrovic (2021–22), Emiliano Buendia (2020–21), and Ollie Watkins (2019–20) were the last five players to receive the honour. 

The following season, all five of them were playing in the top division, either through a move or promotion. 

In fact, not since Kevin Phillips from 2007-08 to 2008-09 has the Championship player of the season kept playing in the Championship the following season.

Hamer would have been the Blades' lucky charm in the Premier League the following season, but his performance in the play-off final against Sunderland severely damaged their prospects of moving up, and they may now find it difficult to convince him to stay. He is a class above. 

He has been playing with Championship defenders, much like Iliman Ndiaye did at Bramall Lane before joining Everton in the Premier League.

With 96th-place shot-creating actions, 93rd-place successful take-ons, and 98th-place combined projected assists and non-penalty expected goals, Hamer is in the 99th percentile of Championship midfielders in 2024–25.

In short, he has distinguished himself in the second division, and it may be time for him to try his hand at a higher level.