Manager says he doesn’t ‘expect’ his £15m star to join Leeds or Burnley

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Coventry City boss Mark Robins is hoping to retain Gus Hamer as Leeds United, Fulham and Premier League newcomers Burnley fawn over the all-action midfielder. 

Last season’s Championship surprise packages have already lost top scorer Viktor Gyokeres to Sporting Lisbon for a fee in the region of £20 million. Lose Gustavo Hamer too and – despite of another eye-watering cash windfall – Coventry would certainly be up against it as the Sky Blues look to secure a play-off spot for the second season running. 

Hamer, arguably the finest midfielder in the second-tier last term, is out of contract in 2024. There is interest from Fulham and a Leeds side who have lost Marc Roca, Weston McKennie and Adam Forshaw since relegation, while Burnley have failed with an £8 million player-plus-cash swap deal (TEAMtalk). 

Robins, meanwhile, is staying calm. Despite incessant speculation over the Brazil-born Dutchman, the Coventry boss appears confident about the prospect of retaining Hamer’s silken services, with the former Feyenoord man offered a new long-term contract at the Ricoh Arena. 

Coventry City desperate to keep Gus Hamer

“I honestly don’t expect anything to happen. And I will be glad if it doesn’t,” Robins told Coventry Live after Hamer was once again serenaded by the Sky Blues supporters during the weekend’s pre-season clash with Shrewsbury Town. 

“(We will) keep talking to him, and working towards a solution for everybody. (We want) the best for everybody. And, hopefully, that will be him staying.

“I have got nothing new to add on that or share with anybody. I think that will become clearer as we move forward, but that’s entirely down to Gus.” 

Hamer scored 11 goals and set up 10 more in the 2022/23 campaign.

He is one of many midfielders on the radar of a Leeds side in the midst of a rebuild; Daniel Farke’s side seemingly far further down the line in pursuit of Rangers’ Glen Kamara (Yorkshire Evening Post). 

Coventry reportedly value Hamer at £15 million.