Portsmouth leading Rangers, Derby County and Charlton in race to sign 'incredible' star | OneFootball

A host of clubs are interested in the Scottish talent.

It has been a quiet summer so far for Portsmouth on the player front, but that could be about to change after the latest developments.

Most of the noise around Fratton Park has been around manager John Mousinho, but despite strong links to Championship clubs, it appears he is set to remain on the South Coast.

Pompey are about to embark on their third successive season in the second tier, having avoided relegation by four points after an impressive end to the campaign.

With the Championship stacked full of big clubs next term, Portsmouth know they must get their recruitment spot on, and the club are looking to beat Scottish giants Rangers to a signing.

Portsmouth renew interest in Dundee's Luke Graham

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Only six sides conceded more goals than Portsmouth last season, and defence is looking like an area of priority in the summer transfer window.

Mousinho already has several options in the hub of his defence, including Hayden Matthews, Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy, but added quality would be a clear benefit.

Dundee centre-back Luke Graham is increasingly likely to leave the Scottish Premiership, with sources indicating to TEAMtalk that the player has a strong preference to move to the Championship.

With second-tier clubs leading the race for the 22-year-old, the publication adds that Portsmouth have renewed their pursuit of the Scotland under-21 international after seeing earlier bids rejected.

Furthermore, while Rangers have shown keen interest and listed Graham as a target, they have yet to make an official approach for the player.

Pompey could have substantial competition for the defender as the likes of Derby County, Norwich City, Stoke City, Preston North End, Lincoln City and Charlton Athletic are monitoring his situation.

Who is Pompey target Graham?

Graham has risen through the ranks at Dundee, benefiting from several loan moves to Albion Rovers, Montrose and Falkirk before becoming a first-team staple.

Last season, the centre-back made 40 appearances in all competitions and showcased his ability as a confident ball-playing defender.

No central defender in the Scottish Premiership completed more dribbles, won more duels or drew more fouls than the 22-year-old, according to Futmob, while he also performed well across a range of defensive metrics.

Dundee boss Steven Pressley has often waxed lyrical about Graham, stating in February: "Some of his performances, and I mean this, have been incredible over the last two or three months," former Scotland defender Pressley said.

"He's playing at such a high standard. I worked with [Everton defender] Jarrad Branthwaite during my time at Carlisle and I thought he was an exceptional young talent. I put Luke right up there next to him.

"Listen, I think he needs a number of steps still on his journey but there is no doubt, in my opinion, that Luke Graham can be playing in the English Premier League."

Graham is about to enter the final year of his contract and was recognised among his peers by receiving the Players' Player of the Season award for the Dark Blues.

Given what he has already achieved at such a young age, it is no wonder that so many clubs are eyeing the centre-back this summer.