Transfer gossip: Portsmouth eye Scottish starlet as Sheffield United and QPR circle for defender
Pompey have been linked with the exciting, young starlet along with Hearts, Aberdeen and other Championship sides.
Pompey are considering a bid for emerging defender Luke Graham, according to reports.
The Blues are said to be on the trail of the Dundee starlet, as they look to accelerate their January transfer business.
Dundee starlet eyed by Pompey with Championship and SPL interest
Graham, 21, is regarded as one of the top emerging talents in Scottish football, with Championship rivals Sheffield United and QPR keeping tabs on the player.
Established SPL outfits Aberdeen and Hearts are two other clubs who are believed to be admirers of the Scotland under-21 international, according to the Daily Record.
Graham has 18 months to run on his existing contract with Dundee, though there has been discussions over extending his stay at Dens Park.
He has made 23 SPL and Scottish League Cup appearances this term, returning two goals. That’s total contributes to an impressive 119 senior appearances and seven goals for a player still at a formative stage of his career.
Now it remains to be seen whether Pompey are about to test the water with a firm bid for the centre-back, as they look to get their January business up and running.
The middle of defence is an area where John Mousinho’s squad is well stocked in terms of options at present.
But the Blues have also dealt with a number of injuries to those players, as they look to solidify their place in the Championship this season.
Pompey stocked with defenders - but options could move on
Conor Shaughnessy, Hayden Matthews, Regan Poole, Ibane Bowat and Josh Knight are the five players on Pompey’s EFL squad list in that department.
Shaughnessy has just returned from over three months out with a hamstring injury, with Josh Knight currently sidelined with a back problem.
Hayden Matthews has struggled with his form, after an ankle injury curtailed his maiden campaign at Fratton Park in February.
Ibane Bowat has picked up six appearances this season, with his first campaign at PO4 curtailed early on by a serious knee injury.
Regan Poole has been Pompey’s most consistent performer this term, but the Wales international dealt with muscle problems last season after a 10-month lay-off when rupturing his ACL knee ligament in November 2023.
Five central defenders is a healthy number for Pompey, but either a loan or permanent exit for one of the existing options could free up a squad space. The Blues have also deregistered contracted players in the past, when they couldn’t find a new club.
Mousinho has indicated he’s hopeful the Blues will have completed a decent amount of their January business, by the time their next Championship action takes place at Sheffield Wednesday on January 17.