Derby County, QPR, Charlton and Sheffield United dealt transfer blow | OneFootball

Dundee defender Luke Graham has been linked with numerous second-tier sides, but they all could be set to miss out

There arguably isn't a more in-demand centre-back amongst Championship clubs in the early days of the off-season than Dundee's Luke Graham.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign in the SPL with the club he came through the academy at, following numerous loan spells with clubs in the lower tiers of Scotland.

40 of his 45 appearances for Dundee have come this season. He started all but one league outing, plus three of the five games in the relegation round when the season split.

Graham has truly burst onto the scene north of the border, and Portsmouth attempted to buy him midway through the campaign, only to see their bid knocked back. Now, with the defender entering the final year of his deal, and having been called up to pre-World Cup training with Scotland this summer, even more teams are joining the queue.

Alongside Pompey, Derby County, Norwich City, Stoke City, Lincoln City, Charlton Athletic, Preston North End, QPR and Sheffield United have been linked with Graham in 2026; 37.5% of the entire division.

Championship clubs may be set to miss out on Luke Graham as Valencia and Red Bull Salzburg enter race

However, those Championship clubs may find themselves knocked down in the pecking order as, according to the Courier, Graham is also attracting interest from Valencia and Red Bull Salzburg.

Valencia, managed by former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, have been La Liga strugglers for a few years now, battling against relegation come the halfway point of the last two years, before staging a surge up the division.

It's been six seasons since Los Murcielagos were in Europe, but they'll be hoping to break that drought as soon as possible, ideally next season.

Meanwhile, Red Bull Salzburg have been European regulars for several years since the energy drink company took over in 2005. Last season, they competed in the UEFA Europa League, but in the seven seasons before, they were a Champions League side.

That lure to compete at the top level of Spain or play against the best in Europe may prove to be too much for the interested clubs in the English second tier to compete with, which would be a major blow to their pursuit.

Graham was highly recognised as one of the best defenders in Scotland last season and was nominated for the Young Player of the Year award this past term.

Luke Graham may prefer a Championship move, despite interest from European clubs

However, despite that interest from clubs in Spain and Austria, there's still some hope that Graham will turn those moves down in favour of a switch to the Championship.

A report from the News in late May suggested that Graham was angling for a move to the English second tier over a move to a continental league or even ahead of one to a different SPL side, as Scottish giants Rangers have also been credited with interest.

So, those aforementioned Championship teams could still have some hope that they can be a more attractive destination than the plethora of other sides who are gearing up for moves once the transfer window opens on June 15.

Right now, though, Graham is focused on aiding his country as they prepare for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.