Rangers and Celtic enter transfer race for in-demand youngster compared to £37.5m rated EPL defender
The Scotland under-21 international has had plenty of transfer interest in recent months.
Rangers are ready to do battle with fierce rivals Celtic over a move for one of the Scottish Premiership’s most highly-rated young defenders this summer.
According to reports, both Glasgow sides have now entered the race to sign in-demand Dundee defender Luke Graham after the youngster’s eye-catching season at Den’s Park, with both clubs believed to be ‘tracking’ the player ahead of a potential summer transfer.
The 22-year-old was the subject of a club record bid from EFL Championship side Portsmouth during the January transfer window, while Queens Park Rangers, Aberdeen, and Hearts were also credited with an interest in the versatile player, who is capable of playing at the centre of defence or at left-back.
“I know there’s been a bid,” Dundee boss Steven Pressley said amid interest from Pompey last month. “Rejected, I would imagine so. He’s an outstanding young player and we aren’t surprised with the attention as a club. We’ve worked exceptionally hard with that kid. The development programme around him has been immense and if he was to go it would have to be a really high figure. Credit to our owners, because we received some very enticing offers. But we were strong in that respect and we were focused that we would not sell unless the true valuation was met”
Earlier this season, the Dundee head coach had compared Graham to that to £37.5million rated Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, claiming he had a similar ceiling to the England international. "If he continues progressing the way that he has I think there will be a lot of interest in him," Pressley said.
"I worked with a young Jarrad Branthwaite at Carlisle United who went on to represent England, and I see so many similarities between himself and Luke. I think we've got a tremendous young player on our hands. There's no doubt that if a significant offer had come in then the club would have had to think about it.”
A standout performer during his loan spell at Falkirk last season, where he played a key role in helping John McGlynn’s side secure promotion back to the Scottish Premiership before returning to the Dark Blues in the summer, where he had become a virtual ever-present under Pressley.
However, the 52-year-old head coach is bracing himself for serious interest in the player this summer, with Rangers and Celtic said to be ready to rival several EFL Championship clubs for his signature, who is contract to the club until the summer of 2027, and has been tipped to become a future Scotland international.
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