'He won't fail': The thrilling verdict on £1.5m Portsmouth and Rangers target ahead of transfer talks
Pompey are in pursuit of in-demand Dundee defender Luke Graham this summer.
Pompey have been given a detailed insight into what they can expect from in-demand Dundee centre-back Luke Graham.
The 22-year-old has been a long-term target of the football operations at Fratton Park, with John Mousinho’s troops having several bids, starting at £1.5m, rejected by the Dark Blues in the January window.
After the Blues’ failed attempts to lure the Scotland youth international to PO4, the defender’s standing in the game has continued to increase after a brilliant second half of the campaign.
Graham featured 41 times for Steven Pressley’s men in all competitions last term, establishing himself as a front-line operator in the backline at Dens Park.
But after stellar campaign in the Scottish Premiership, interest from England, Scotland and on the continent is growing in the defender, who was nominated for the PFA Scotland SPFL Young Player of the Year award.
As many as 43 clubs are tracking the centre-back this summer, with a fresh report suggesting Pompey are ‘pushing’ to hold talks with him this week as they bid to land the highly sought-after talent.
With the Blues believed to be looking to advance on a move for Graham, with the transfer window now open, we’ve got the lowdown on what the Fratton faithful could expect from the Dens Park academy graduate.
The News has spoken to Dundee podcaster Daniel Smith from the Up Wi’ The Bonnets podcast, who gave a detailed insight into Graham’s attributes, Championship potential, summer interest and how much it could take to lure the centre-back away from the Dark Blues this summer.
Q: What’s Luke Graham’s background, how has he progressed so quickly over the past 12 months?
‘Luke has gone from being loaned out to Falkirk to gain experience to becoming a mainstay in the Dundee defence.
‘There has always been talk about Dundee seeing the potential in Graham early on and done everything at their disposal to fulfil his potential.’
Q: Does it come as a surprise as to how quickly he’s developed over the course of the season?
‘Yes and no.
‘Yes because it was always going to be a tough task for any youngster coming into a team in transition in the Premiership with a new manager and players to play with.
‘No because he has shown that he's more than capable of handling himself against the most seasoned of players in this league.
‘He's had a few mishaps that have materialised into goals for the opposition but he's not let his head go down and he's not let it affect his confidence.
‘In fact he's played like a veteran at times and has quickly adapted to his mistakes to make him a better player.’
Q: What type of central defender is he? What standout qualities and attributes does he possess?
‘For his age, he can read the game very well. He wins duels in the air and gets stuck in with sliding tackles but I like the fact that he just doesn't jump into tackles. He can wait before putting the boot in.
‘One thing about Luke is he loves to drive forward from the backline to attack with the goal.
‘You rarely see a defender that plays out with the ball but Luke does it with ease the majority of the time.
‘Very much so (tall and powerful) and the best thing about it, he still has more to learn and improve on.’
Q: With as many as 43 clubs from across Europe registering an interest, is it surprising the level of attraction currently surrounding his name? And is it deserved?
‘Not at all. I’d actually be disappointed if that number was lower as he's been a standout for Dundee and has rightly caught the eye of the national team manager, Steve Clarke.
‘The performance levels and being picked to be part of the pre-World Cup Scotland squad show that the interest he his attracting is more than deserved, especially in his first full season with the club.’
Q: Would a move to England be best suited to his game and style of play right now? And can you see him succeeding if so?
‘I'll say this with full confidence. If Luke moves to a club in England, Spain, Italy or any other country that teams are chasing him from - he won't fail.
‘I'm don't see his talent as suited for a specific type of play.
‘He defends and likes to attack - any club will be lucky to win the transfer race for him.
‘He was picked up by Steve Clarke for Scotland’s pre-World Cup training camp, can he go on to become a full Scotland international?
‘I've said it for months - after the World Cup, Luke will be in the Scotland squad and winning caps.’
Q: Do you think Dundee will be able keep him beyond the summer window and what price would you consider before cashing in?
‘Not a chance. We have him for one more season so we will cash in this summer for him.
‘£1.5 million is the number doing the rounds but when we have saw other young Scottish players being sold for double and treble this, I'd be disappointed if we weren't asking for £2 million+ for him with plenty of add ons.
‘A bidding war for the young lad would be great for the club.’