Sheffield United given transfer encouragement over interest in “big future” starlet amid Portsmouth, QPR interest
Sheffield United given transfer encouragement over interest in “big future” starlet amid Portsmouth, QPR interest
Sheffield United have already been told that they will sign a player “with a big future” if they follow up their reported interest in a rumoured transfer target in this transfer window. The Blades are eyeing a rebuild after a torrid summer left them behind the 8-ball in the Championship.
But boss Chris Wilder has always been a manager who plans for the medium and long term as well as the here and now, and the Blades have been reported as being interested in 21-year-old Dundee defender Luke Graham.
United’s admiration of the defender was reported north of the border by the Daily Record, who also suggest that Portsmouth are keen on the centre-half who is also able to operate at full-back.
Queens Park Rangers are also said to have checked out Graham in action as a transfer battle emerges for his services. The player has established himself as a key member of Steven Pressley’s squad but is in the final 18 months of his deal, which has put rival sides on red alert.
Sheffield United given transfer encouragement over interest in “big future” starlet amid Portsmouth, QPR interest
Dundee have begun talks aimed at tying down Graham to a longer-term deal but no agreement has yet been reached, which has opened the door for a potential move. A Scotland U21 international, Graham is seen as one of the best young defenders in Scotland at the minute.
And the Blades have already been given a glowing reference if they do move for him, courtesy of former Scottish international Pressley. “He is a player with a big future,” the former Rangers and Celtic defender said in the summer.
“I do think that he is at a stage where he needs to play regular football in his development. We are giving him that at present. The club has done a really wonderful job with Luke and his development, they really have.
“I can see that he has played a lot of men’s football from an early age. He has that steely determination. He started playing at Albion Rovers at the age of 18 and he has had several loans since. The loan at Falkirk allowed him great growth again.