By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

9th Aug, 2023 | 7:28am

Sources: Sheffield United race Leeds United to sign Hamer

Sheffield United have joined Leeds United in the race to sign Coventry midfielder Gus Hamer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Blades are in the market for midfielders with Sander Berge about to join Burnley.

It is believed that Coventry have told suitors they want an initial £12m plus 2m in add-ons for Hamer.

Sheffield United have now set their sights on the midfield anchorman, while Leeds have also registered their interest in him.

He has a contract at Coventry that runs until the summer of 2024.

Coventry are desperate to keep hold of Hamer as they attempt to push for promotion to the top flight once again.

On 6 August, Football Insider first revealed that the 26-year-old is likely to cost interested parties upwards of £12m as Coventry look to hold on to their star midfielder even if it means losing him for free next summer.

Earlier this summer, Burnley saw a player-plus-cash bid rejected for Hamer after attempting to test Coventry’s resolve.

The Brazil-born star managed 11 goals and ten assists in 45 appearances across all competitions last term and has now racked up 130 games since arriving in England three years ago.

The Sky Blues have already lost their top goalscorer of the 2022-23 campaign with Victor Gyokeres joining Sporting CP for a reported fee of around £20m.

The Blades have seen star forward Illiman Ndiaye depart for French side Marseille with Berge close to following him out the door to join Premier League rivals Burnley.

In other news, Leeds United star ‘very close’ to agreeing Chelsea deal.