Leeds United are eyeing a creative midfielder ahead of transfer deadline day, but it won’t be Bilal El Khannouss or Gus Hamer.
Even going back to last summer, Gus Hamer has been a target for Daniel Farke and the 49ers at Leeds United. He remains a target, but other playmakers like Bilal El Khannouss have been on Leeds’ radar.
Leeds’ links to Hamer were reignited this summer following Sheffield United’s Championship play-off final defeat. Earlier in the summer, it was claimed that Hamer preferred a move to PSV Eindhoven.
However, there have been conflicting reports, with it then claimed that Leeds were stepping up efforts to sign Hamer. Nothing has materialised yet for either player, and time is now running out for Leeds.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesLeeds targets Gus Hamer and Bilal El Khannouss head elsewhere
It was said that Hamer was one of four attacking midfielders on Leeds’ final shortlist. That report was weeks ago with no movement — and it then looked like Hamer might stay with Sheffield United or move back to the Netherlands.
This week, it was stated a deal for Leeds and Hamer wasn’t dead, even if other Sheffield United reports played down Hamer to Leeds. But there have been further developments since then.
Pete O’Rourke is reporting PSV Eindhoven are advancing in talks to sign Sheffield United’s star Gustavo Hamer ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline. The update comes after disappointing El Khannouss news for Leeds earlier today.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Leicester’s El Khannouss is a target for VfB Stuttgart. Not only that, but the Bundesliga outfit have struck a bargain. Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has the latest.
🚨💥 Bilal El Khannouss to VfB Stuttgart – DONE DEAL ✔️
Full agreement with Leicester City is in place. It’s a loan with an option to buy. The deal will be worth €25 million including add-ons if his purchase option becomes an obligation to buy.
The 21 y/o attacking midfielder… pic.twitter.com/EC2ykNRAUZ
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 31, 2025
View Tweet
El Khannouss to Stuttgart is a done deal and a full agreement with Leicester is in place. It’s a loan with an option to buy. The deal will be worth €25 million (£21.7 million) including add-ons if his purchase option becomes an obligation to buy.
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty ImagesLeeds’ “reach” signings haven’t pulled off
Graham Smyth has explained ambitious ‘reach’ signings are still a part of Leeds’ transfer strategy after Igor Paixao disappointment, with the club now targeting forwards to end the transfer window.
Daniel Farke wants a versatile creative player at the very least but have Leeds bitten off more than they can chew with these more ambitious targets? Which then mean that the easier to do deals are also slipping by them, regarding a player like Hamer?
Leeds need a player who can crack open a game by conjuring something up out of nothing, but those types of ‘moments players’ do not come cheap in a window, let alone in the final days of a window.
Smyth has detailed Leeds’ plans after Facundo Buonanotte, and he has consistently used words like ‘incision’ when detailing what Leeds need from their final piece of the puzzle regarding a creative influence.