Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that the lure of the Premier League would be too much for Sheffield United to retain the 2024/25 Championship Player of the Season, Gustavo Hamer.
The 28-year-old Dutchman has been one of the standout performers in the second tier, not only while wearing the Sheffield United shirt, but also during his time at Coventry City, and his sole campaign in the Premier League saw him register four goals and six assists for the Blades too.
Gustavo Hamer's 2024/25 Championship stats (including play-offs), per Transfermarkt
Appearances (starts)
Goals
Assists
Clearly, Hamer feels that he has unfinished business in the top flight of England, with Dutch website Soccernews reporting that the former Feyenoord man may reject offers from Eredivisie champions PSV in favour of a move back to the Premier League.
And Hendrie, a current EFL pundit, believes that it's only a matter of time before a fellow English side swoops in for the exciting attacking midfielder.
Lee Hendrie gives verdict on Gustavo Hamer, Sheffield United situation
Lee Hendrie
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Lee Hendrie believes that Gustavo Hamer has proven time and time again that he is one of the better Championship players, and wouldn't hold it against the Dutchman if he pursued a move back to the top-flight this summer.
"I just think he's shown consistency, and he's been one of the key players for some time at Sheffield United," Hendrie said.
"Playing in the Premier League is the ultimate for most players, and with Sheffield United not getting promoted [last season], you now have to look at the standouts such as Hamer, who would continue to be a standout in the Championship if he stays.
"That's the disappointment for Sheffield United."
On whether he believes Hamer will remain at Bramall Lane come the beginning of August, Hendrie's verdict isn't what Blades fans will want to hear.
"I think he goes," Hendrie continued.
"I know he's been linked with PSV, but it wouldn't surprise me if one of the bottom-end Premier League sides tried to sign him.
"He's shown good talent at both Sheffield United and Coventry, so it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he's out of the door in the summer."
A Premier League dream may be enough to lure Gustavo Hamer away from Dutch return and Sheffield United stay
Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United
As Hendrie alluded to, playing in the Premier League is, for many footballers, the pinnacle of their playing career, and it seems that Gustavo Hamer shares that dream.
And he's not short of potential suitors, either, with Leeds United and Everton among those who may be interested in bringing the Dutchman back to the promised land, with both sides in need of a creative spark this summer.
Sheffield United's Premier League side of two seasons ago may go down as one of the worst in the competition's history, but Hamer showed glimpses of someone who belonged in the division, and after another season dominating in the Championship, he seems ready to once again make the step back.
And if the promise of a top-flight return in England can deter Hamer away from Champions League football at PSV, there might not be much Sheffield United can do as a Championship club to keep him from departing Bramall Lane this summer.
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