Rangers make move to 'steal a march' on Celtic in transfer target chase as scouting mission launched
Rangers and Celtic are both said to be eyeing a star from the domestic scene.
Rangers have reportedly launched a scouting mission over a possible transfer target - as they look to gain ground ahead of rivals like Celtic.
The Light Blues signed Tuur Rommens, Andreas Skov Olsen, Tochi Chukwaeni and Ryan Naderi during the winter transfer window but planning for future recruitment is ongoing. Impressive Premiership stars are always of interest to both sides of the Old Firm and Luke Graham is the latest to catch their eye.
English Championship side Portsmouth had bids swatted away last month as he impresses in the heart of Dundee’s defence. Celtic are claimed to be keeping their eyes on him, but according to the Scottish Sun, Rangers technical director Dan Purdy had his own eyes on him during last weekend’s 2-2 draw between Dundee and Livingston at Dens Park.
How interested are Rangers in signing Luke Graham?
It’s claimed: “Rangers have stepped up their interest in Dundee defender Luke Graham. SunSport can reveal Ibrox technical director Dan Purdy was at Dens Park on Saturday to personally run the rule over the 22-year-old. The Light Blues were linked with a move for Graham in January, with Celtic also keeping tabs on the Scotland Under-21 star.
“Graham is also attracting interest from down south, with Dundee rejecting a £1million bid from Portsmouth last month. Now Rangers could be set to steal a march on their rivals with Purdy present on Tayside for the 2-2 draw with Livingston at the weekend.
“International recognition has followed, with Aberdeen and QPR among the other clubs who have shown an interest Pompey are the only team to table a concrete bid – with Dundee kicking out their offer for the highly-rated home-grown stopper. Gers are looking at defensive options for next season with Scotland star John Souttar yet to pen a new contract.”
Who is Luke Graham?
A central defender, Graham has grown into a mainstay for Dundee boss Steven Pressley, after loans with Lochee United, Albion Rovers, Montrose and Falkirk. Ex Rangers and Celtic defender Pressley said of rejected bids for Graham in January: “We’re delighted Luke is still here because the club received some really strong offers.
“But the club were very strong on his valuation and there was no way that we were going to settle for anything under that valuation. When we look at the market just now, I think they’re quite right, because I think we’ve got a really top young player on our hands, and we have to be getting the correct valuation for him.
“It was a really important. January is a window that can make you, but it can also break you. Players are important and my experience told me it was vital that we kept him. I think he’s a top young player and it is credit to him how immensely well he has handled all the speculation. In fact, you could argue he’s excelled during this uncertainty, which is amazing for him.”