Leeds United sit at the summit of the Championship table and are looking likely to earn automatic promotion to the Premier League this season. Even Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has tipped them to win the Championship and there is already talk of who the Whites would want to sign in the summer transfer window if they get back to the top flight. Leeds are aware that they need to bring in quality players all across the board to raise the level of their squad by several manifolds if they want to survive in the Premier League. An attacking midfielder is likely on their agenda and Emiliano Buendia has been on Leeds’ radar. However, the club have their eyes on one more player who they would be keen to sign.
The Whites only have a two-point lead at the top and a five-point buffer over teams outside the automatic promotion spots. However, their form has led to premature suggestions of what they would need once are promoted.
The three teams who went up last season are currently in the bottom three of the Premier League. The message is clear – Leeds United will need to bring in several quality players for every area of their squad if they want to survive in the top flight.
Leeds already wanted an attacking midfielder in January and the search for a new number 10 is expected to pick up pace for the summer transfer window.
Emiliano Buendia was on their radar in the winter window but he joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan with the German side reserving an option to buy him.
A deal to sign him is not completely off the table but Leeds have already identified a high-quality alternative to the former Norwich attacking midfielder.
Leeds United have eyes on Championship star
Gustavo Hamer has been on Leeds’ radar for a few years and they wanted to sign him in 2023 but were beaten to his signature by Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.
The 27-year-old midfielder has been a top player for the Blades this season, scoring seven times and registering five assists, and has continued to remain on Leeds’ radar.
Journalist Ben Jacobs claimed on GiveMeSport’s Market Madness Podcast, that he is one of the two attacking midfielders Leeds are interested in signing in the summer.
He said: “Definitely a playmaker. Gustavo Hamer or possibly Emi Buendia if Bayer Leverkusen don’t take up their option to buy clause.”
Hamer also has the experience of playing in the Premier League where he scored four times and registered six assists for the Blades in 36 appearances.
The Dutchman was on Leeds’ agenda last summer as well but they were never going to convince Sheffield United to let him move to Elland Road.
That will remain a problem next summer as well but Leeds have not given up hope on the prospect of getting their hands on Hamer.
Promotion to the Premier League holds the key
Leeds’ recruitment team did well last summer to strengthen the squad and some of the players they signed are playing a big part for the Whites this season.
Hamer was by the same recruitment team but Leeds need to ensure that they are in the Premier League if they want to have any chance of signing him.
Promotion will not only open doors to more money for Leeds but they will become a more attractive destination for some of the players they are targeting.
Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
A deal to sign the Dutch midfielder will become a far more feasible option if Leeds can offer Premier League football to the player in the summer.
However, Sheffield United also getting promoted would lead to some of the same issues Leeds faced last summer
But Leeds will have a much better chance of securing an agreement to sign Hamer if they do their part and get promoted to the top flight. Whether Sheffield United also reach the Premier League is something they can’t control.
