- Rangers must pay significant fee as Dundee raise valuation of Luke Graham amid rising interest.
- Steven Pressley admits Scotland U21 defender likely to leave with multiple English clubs also monitoring.
- Rangers previously interested, but competition and price could determine summer transfer outcome.
Rangers will have to spend heavily if they are to land Dundee defender Luke Graham, with manager Steven Pressley admitting growing interest in the Scotland U21 centre-back is making a summer exit increasingly likely.
The 22-year-old has attracted attention from several clubs south of the border.
There is interest from clubs including Derby County, Portsmouth, Stoke City and Phillipe Clement’s Norwich City, with Rangers also understood to be among those monitoring his situation after previously exploring a move in January.
Portsmouth reportedly had a £1m bid rejected, with Dundee now believed to value Graham at significantly more as his profile continues to rise following a strong season at Dens Park.
Dees boss on Luke Graham future
Speaking about the defender’s future, Pressley was candid about the level of interest building around his player.
“There’s a lot of interest in Luke from here, England and abroad. It’s difficult to see him here next season with the amount of clubs interested,” he said to the Sun.
“But we’re in no rush to sell. I understand if we get to the valuation we will sell, I know that. The big thing is, for clubs like us to function properly, there needs to be good outcomes in terms of the fee.”
Luke Graham compared to Jarrad Branthwaite
He added that Dundee remain focused on maximising both the transfer fee and potential sell-on value.
“It’s not just the fee, Pressley explained. “There’s the sell-on as well because what you can receive is very important these days.”
“I brought Jarrad Branthwaite through at Carlisle and when he was supposed to go to Manchester United.
“It was going to generate about £7m for them at the time, so that has to be a consideration.”
Dundee resisted January approaches for Graham while battling relegation. However, their improved league position and stability heading into the summer has shifted the outlook.
“In January we didn’t want to sell Luke because I’d seen before what can happen,” Pressley said previously.
“We wanted to reinforce in that window rather than take the risk.”
Why Luke Graham fits Rangers recruitment model
Rangers’ interest is further aligned with their recruitment model under Andrew Cavenagh, which places added emphasis on identifying Scottish players who fit specific positional profiles.
“We have a pro-Scottish bias in the club today,” Cavenagh said.
“If you have two players roughly equal and one is Scottish, we will take the Scottish player.”
Graham has just been called up to Steve Clarke‘s Scotland training camp and should injury occur, he may find himself on the plane to the World Cup.
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
That approach ensures Graham remains a natural fit within Rangers’ summer recruitment discussions, although the escalating price tag means any move would require significant investment.
With Nasser Djiga and Derek Cornelius returning to their parent clubs and Leon King released, Rangers are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements this summer.
Graham fits the bill of Scottish, SPFL experienced but also with a financial upside at just 22.
But will they pay over the odds for the player? That part remains to be seen.
