Gary O’Neil should trigger the release clause of an ‘unbelievable’ Wolves target, who is ‘open’ to a summer move.
Wolves have granted Gary O’Neil freedom in the 2024/25 transfer window and this has seen him make shrewd additions across the pitch.
The arrival of Jorgen Strand Larsen has beefed up O’Neil’s forward line, Pedro Lima offers competition for Nelson Semedo at right-back while Rodrigo Gomes’ versatility will be integral.
That trio of transfers came after making Tommy Doyle’s transfer from Manchester City permanent, with the central midfielder impressing on loan in 2023/24.
Doyle is one of four first-team midfielders available to O’Neil next term, including Joao Gomes, Mario Lemina and Boubacar Traore.
Surprisingly, though, Wolves are looking to add to that quartet, resulting in links to Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer.
Wolves did have a chance to sign the Brazilian last term, who instead sealed a £15 million move to the Blades but they should now make amends by prising him to Molineux.
Wolves should activate the release clause of Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer
Last Sunday, it was reported that Wolves were interested in signing Hamer, who was relegated with United in 2023/24.
The 27-year-old was a rare shining light for the club, scoring four goals and providing six assists, leading to teammate Ollie McBurnie dubbing him “unbelievable”.
A recent report from TEAMtalk have since increased Wolves’ chances of landing Hamer further, as it is claimed the all-action midfielder has a release clause in his contract.
While that information has remained undisclosed, it is likely to be around, if not, less than the £15 million United paid last summer, so the Wanderers could land a bargain as he’s also ‘open’ to leaving Bramall Lane.
Of course, the need for Wolves to bolster that position isn’t pressing with Gomes and Lemina nailed on starters however, he can add ‘real quality’ to their attacking ranks, something that was lacking from a central position last term.
Where Gustavo Hamer would fit in at Wolves
There’s a clear profile of midfielder that O’Neil likes to have in his starting XI, and that begins with a hard-working and high-pressing approach.
Hamer carried those attributes out at Sheffield United, similar to Brazilian compatriot Gomes, but he also delivered in a struggling team in the final third.
Providing six assists from midfield, 10 big chances created and 2 key passes per game, there’s no wonder a number of clubs in the Premier League and Serie A are looking at him.
In O’Neil’s three-at-the-back system with two midfielders, he could perhaps utilise Hamer as an attack-minded playmaker, allowing Lemina and Gomes to sit.
His arrival could also see the Wolves boss switch to a four-at-the-back system if needed, with the dominant duo sat at the base and Hamer given the license to create chances.
The introduction of Sheffield United’s lynchpin isn’t a player they’re desperately looking to sign but his attacking output would give O’Neil a different type of midfielder to select.