Dundee head coach's admission over Sheffield United, Rangers, QPR and Portsmouth-linked Luke Graham
Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has conceded the club may lose Sheffield United-linked defender Luke Graham this summer.
The 22-year-old has sent his stock soaring with his consistently assured performances in Dundee’s backline.
An imposing centre-back, Graham has been among the breakout stars of the current Scottish Premiership season.
He has been linked with Sheffield United, as well as their Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, Portsmouth and Oxford United. There has also been talk of interest in the Scotland Under-21s star from Rangers.
Dundee head coach’s Luke Graham admission
As reported by The Courier, Pressley said: “He’s been outstanding for us, he really has. He’s been a real standout. He’s grown week after week.
“Our biggest problem, it’s obvious, is trying to hold on to him or trying to replace him. That’s going to be the hardest part of the summer. It may be the case that we just have to enjoy him while he’s here.
“I think that it’s the nature of the way football works that we’re not the only selling club. There’s maybe only one or two clubs in the world that aren’t selling clubs. We have to accept that.
“But as the club have shown over the January window that Luke Graham won’t be leaving unless we get the fee that we think is acceptable and reflects his value. And that seems to grow by the game.”
Challenging summer ahead for Sheffield United
The summer window ahead will be a challenging one for Sheffield United, who will need to tighten their belts amid the loss of parachute payments.
Signing raw up-and-comers may be part of the club’s strategy, although the Blades will also need some experience on board.
Graham would arguably be an exciting addition for the Blades, who have fallen way below pre-season expectations.
Last week, after watching his side surrender a lead against Swansea City, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder outlined his desire for change.
He said: “Until we have that opportunity to change the culture around and get the recruitment right for next year, which we will do, and embed that steel in us, which possibly can only get done when the season’s finished.
“In terms of decisions by me, the players that I don’t think are going to be on the journey next year. Physically and the mentality. They’re going to suffer pre-season, because we’ll get it right.”