Portsmouth ‘pushing’ to sign in-demand Rangers target Luke Graham in fresh transfer development
Pompey are reportedly ‘pushing’ to sign in-demand Dundee defender Luke Graham
The race to sign in-demand Dundee defender Luke Graham is heating up.
It’s been a quiet start to the transfer window at Fratton Park after the shutters came up on Monday.
But that picture looks set to change, with the 22-year-old’s name once again re-emerging as interest continues to grow.
The Blues were heavily touted with Graham during the January window and had several bids, which began at £1.5m, turned down by Dundee, whose valuation skyrocketed as the market headed to a climax.
Since then, the Scotland youth international’s stock has soared after a brilliant second half of the campaign at Dens Park.
It is understood 43 clubs from England, Scotland and on the continent are currently tracking the former Falkirk loanee.
Fresh development in race to sign Luke Graham
Although Pompey were yet to go back in for Graham, it is now believed that stance has now changed with Mousinho’s troops ready to go back in.
A fresh update from transfer guru Alan Nixon has reported the Blues are leading the chase at present as they zero in on the emerging talent.
The article has claimed Mousinho’s side are ‘pushing’ to hold talks with the 22-year-old in the coming week as they bid to lure the Dens Park academy graduate to the south coast.
The News understands the Championship is the highly-rated defender’s preferred destination, with Rangers last week reportedly looking to make the first move.
But according to Nixon, Pompey are now hoping to hold talks with the centre-back in a bid to sell the Fratton Park project.
Dundee stance on Pompey target
Graham enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough campaign with Dundee, which saw him amass 41 appearances in all competitions.
His impressive displays has seen his standing in the game rise sharply over the past 12 months, with clubs across the globe now taking note.
After Dundee opted against cashing in on their academy product in January, an exit is on the cards this summer as Graham heads into the final 12 months of his current terms.
And head coach Steven Pressley is resigned to losing the in-demand centre-back in the window
Speaking recently, the Dark Blues boss 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.’