Costly new twist emerges in Portsmouth and QPR's transfer pursuit of Dundee centre-back Luke Graham
Pompey are keen to add to their central defensive ranks over the remaining days of the January transfer window
A fresh twist has emerged in Pompey’s pursuit of Dundee defender Luke Graham.
And, ultimately, it could be a former Blues captain who stands in the way of the Fratton Park club from signing the highly-rated centre-back before next Monday’s January transfer window deadline.
Pompey’s interest in Luke Graham - and the competition they face
Pompey have identified Graham as someone they believe will significantly enhance their backline for the Championship relegation battle that awaits them over the final three months of the season.
A firm fixture in boss Steven Pressley’s ranks, the 21-year-old has been a stand-out performer for the Dark Blues this season, with his appearance against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday his 26th appearance in all competitions this term.
The Blues aren’t the only ones who admire the Scotland under-21 international, though. QPR, Sheffield United and Aberdeen have also been credited with an interest. Indeed, recent reports claimed the R’s were readying a £1m bid for the centre-back.
That follows noises that a £600,000 offer from Pompey had already been knocked back by Dundee for their rising star. Now it appears another development could take this story into the realms of a January transfer saga.
Injury concerns at both Pompey and Dundee
With four of Pompey’s five recognised central defenders unable to take to the pitch on Sunday for their south-coast derby draw against Southampton, the Blues’ need for defensive reinforcements has never been greater.
However, they aren’t the only ones struggling for bodies at the back - Dundee also find themselves in a similarly worrying position.
A knee injury picked up by centre-back Billy Koumetio last week is expected to keep him out for an extended period. Meanwhile, former Pompey skipper Clark Robertson is also back on the Dens Park injury list after suffering a thigh problem on his comeback appearance against Kilmarnock on January 17.
The 32-year-old is expected to be out for a couple of months, with that development meaning Graham was paired with Ryan Anstley for the 3-0 defeat at the Gers.
Aaron Donnelly was overlooked as he looks poised to seal a move away from the Scottish Premiership outfit.
By all accounts, Blues target Graham played well despite the heavy defeat. However, it’s been suggested Dundee’s own defensive problems could see them increase the asking price for the player in this window.
Luke Graham’s ‘price has definitely gone up’
Speaking on the latest episode of The Courier’s Twa Teams, One Street podcast, reporter George Cran said Graham’s valuation will have shot up in recent days.
And unless Pompey or one of their transfer rivals matched that new, heftier price tag, he expected Graham to remain at Dens Park until the end of the season.
Cran said: ‘Yeah, I think his price has definitely gone up in the past few days.
‘They're certainly looking for upwards of £1m. I don't know how far up they're going, but I think it's gone further now, certainly.
‘I mean, they didn't want to lose him at all anyway. It was going to take a big, big bid, and it will take a slightly or even bigger bid now, because it'll leave them really short of options.
‘Luke was really good again (against Rangers). Just kind of strolls at times. A few times, his passing maybe wasn't to what he expects. You could tell by his reaction. He was quite angry with himself a few times, but he played really well.
‘He's bringing out some tricks as well, which is, I'm not sure doing that as a centre-back is the best idea, but it shows the confidence he's got in himself at the moment.
‘I think he's enjoying life at Dundee. But, yeah, they're kind of hoping that a massive bid doesn't come in.
‘But if a massive bid comes in, they'll have the money to go and find somebody else.
‘Hopefully, they have a contingency plan ready to go if that does happen. But I think at the moment, we're looking like Luke Graham will continue at Dundee until at least the end of the season.’
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