Rangers FC set to hand Sheffield United, Portsmouth transfer blow | OneFootball

Rangers have progressed on a deal to sign Dundee defender Luke Graham, who has attracted interest from both Portsmouth and Sheffield United

Sheffield United and Portsmouth are both keen to bolster their squads in the summer transfer window, but the Championship duo are set to be handed a blow by Scottish Premiership giants Rangers.

The Blades have struggled for consistency this season, and will consequently have to wait until next term to launch a serious promotion bid.

Meanwhile, Pompey are vying to retain their Championship status, and sit just one point above the relegation zone with eight games remaining.

John Mousinho's men would be in the bottom three if 22nd-place Leicester City hadn't been deducted six points for breaching financial rules.

Rangers advance on deal to sign Portsmouth, Sheffield United, and QPR transfer target

Sheffield United enjoyed a largely successful winter transfer window, including the eye-catching addition of England international Kalvin Phillips, albeit the 30-year-old has made just three Blades outings, courtesy of a suspension and an injury.

Chris Wilder is hoping to recruit well in the summer too, as the South Yorkshire club plot a Premier League return, having been relegated from the top flight in 2024.

However, as reported by the Daily Record, Danny Rohl's Rangers are 'far down the line' with a deal to sign Dundee defender Luke Graham.

The Scottish outlet added that the 22-year-old was subject to a bid of around £1.5million from Portsmouth in January, which was turned down by Steven Pressley's men.

A report from the Record in January revealed that Graham had also been scouted by Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers.

QPR have been poor defensively this term, so acquiring the Scotland Under-21 international this summer would have been a good move for Julien Stephan's men, but he now appears set to head to Glasgow instead.

Meanwhile, journalist Alan Nixon revealed in February that Graham has attracted interest from Lincoln City.

The Imps are closing in on promotion to the Championship, but Rangers' transfer business will likely mean that Michael Skubala's men will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

Luke Graham will be best served by Rangers move amid Championship interest

The fact that Championship clubs and second-tier-bound Lincoln have eyed Graham's services is testament to the centre-back's strong performances north of the border.

However, the 22-year-old has only recently risen to relative prominence in the Scottish Premiership, having helped Falkirk win the Championship title while on loan last season.

The current campaign has marked Graham's first as a regular feature in the top flight for Dundee, so he would be best served by moving to Rangers, rather than having to adjust to a new league.

Furthermore, the Light Blues are still in this season's Premiership title race, and can give the Scotland youth international the chance to shine in a European competition next term.

Rohl's men sit just three points behind league leaders Hearts, and two points clear of third-place Celtic in an exciting three-horse race for silverware.

Both Old Firm rivals are vying to return to their usual standards next season, and Graham could help Rangers win their first title since 2021, if they don't achieve that feat this season.

Meanwhile, the fact that the 22-year-old is set to move to Ibrox is a blow for the likes of Sheffield United, who are eyeing an eventual Premier League return.