‘Needs to be good outcomes’: The key transfer clause Portsmouth, Derby, Sheffield United must accept to land emerging star

Any club looking to secure Luke Graham’s services this summer will have to insert a healthy sell-on clause as part of any potential agreement.

That’s the clear stance of head coach Steven Pressley, who is adamant his side will want to make a profit from any future sales of their in-demand academy graduate.

The 22-year-old is one of the hottest properties in Scottish football heading into the upcoming transfer window, with sides in England, Scotland and abroad all keeping tabs.

The News understands, though, Graham’s preferred destination is the Championship, with the opportunity to work under John Mousinho also holding a great appeal.

The Blues, of course, worked hard to land the Scotland youth international during the January market but came up short in their pursuit after Dundee’s valuation sky-rocketed as the window progressed.

The Dark Blues are resigned to losing the in-demand centre-back this summer, with 43 clubs registering an interest as he heads into the final 12 months of his Dens Park deal.

The key financial agreement Pompey have to insert to land Luke Graham

Although Dundee will hold out until their valuation is met, Pressley has revealed another significant factor which has to be agreed before they cash in on Graham.

The head coach has made it clear a sell-on clause has to be inserted in any deal in order for his side to profit from future moves.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, Pressley said: ‘There's a lot of interest in Luke from here, England and abroad. It's difficult to see him here next season with the amount of clubs interested. But we're in no rush to sell.

‘I understand if we get to the valuation we will sell, I know that. The big thing is, for clubs like us to function properly, there needs to be good outcomes in terms of the fee.

‘It's not just the fee, there's the sell-on as well because what you can receive is very important these days.

‘I brought Jarrad Branthwaite through at Carlisle and when he was supposed to go to Manchester United, it was going to generate about £7m for them at the time, so that has to be a consideration.

‘Of course you want to demand as high a fee as possible, but it's beneficial to look beyond that.

‘Luke has the capabilities to be a centre-back in the English Premier League down the line. But if he is still here in August, I'd be very happy.’

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Who is Pompey target Luke Graham?

Graham enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough campaign at Dundee, amassing 41 appearances in all competitions as he cemented himself at the heart of Pressley’s backline.

This prompted initial interest from Pompey back in January, with several bids, starting at £1.5m, rejected by the Dark Blues for his services.

The centre-back’s impressive rise earned him a nomination for the PFA’s Scotland Men’s Player of the Season accolade and also a call-up for Steve Clarke’s pre-World Cup training camp with Scotland.

With Graham entering the final 12 months of his current terms, Pompey and clubs across England, Scotland and abroad are keeping tabs on his situation.

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