Queens Park Rangers have entered a three-way race with Championship rivals Portsmouth and Sheffield United to sign Dundee's highly-rated young defender Luke Graham this January.
Championship Trio Target Scottish Prospect
The Rs, managed by Julien Stephan, are actively seeking a long-term solution in central defence during the current transfer window. The position has been a persistent issue at Loftus Road, with Jake Clarke-Salter hampered by injuries and veteran Steve Cook now 34 years old.
According to a report from The Daily Record, QPR are monitoring the situation of the 21-year-old Scotland under-21 international, who is also attracting interest from Scottish Premiership sides Aberdeen and Hearts. Graham has made 23 appearances across all competitions for Dundee this season, establishing himself as one of the country's most exciting defensive talents.
Dundee Boss Praises Defender's 'Big Future'
Dundee manager Steven Pressley has been vocal in his praise for the defender, highlighting his maturity and potential. Speaking in August, Pressley emphasised the club's desire to keep Graham but acknowledged his need for regular football.
"He is a player with a big future," Pressley stated. "I can see that he has played a lot of men’s football from an early age. He has that steely determination." The manager credited Graham's loan spell at Falkirk as a key period in his development and noted his impressive performances against clubs like Rangers and Hibernian.
Despite Dundee opening talks over a new contract for their academy product, no breakthrough has been reached, leaving the door open for a potential January move.
QPR's Defensive Reshuffle Continues
The pursuit of Graham underscores QPR's intent to solidify their back line. The summer signing of Amadou Mbengue has seen him used more frequently at right-back, increasing the need for a specialist centre-half. Securing a player of Graham's age and profile would represent a strategic move for the future, as the club looks to build a more resilient defensive unit under Stephan's leadership.
With Portsmouth and Sheffield United also in the mix, the battle for the "steely" defender's signature is set to be a key subplot as the January transfer window progresses.
