Portsmouth are ready for their third consecutive season in the Championship after avoiding relegation last season.

Pompey finished in 18th place following a dismal start to the season that put them in danger of relegation, but John Mousinho was able to turn things around and steer them back to second-tier safety.

Rumours over the adored Pompey manager’s future surfaced in the summer, with Championship rivals Bristol City connected with a move for the 40-year-old.

However, speculation about Mousinho’s future has subsided in recent weeks, with the Robins appointing Michael Skubala and no other clubs expressing interest.

Now that the manager’s future is less unknown, Portsmouth can plan to enhance their team in the transfer market, with a new report claiming they’ve already identified a new defensive target.

Portsmouth plot moved for £1.5 million-rated Dundee defender Luke Graham

One highly sought-after player this summer is teenage Dundee defender Luke Graham, who had an outstanding season with the Scottish Premiership club last year.

The 22-year-old, who gained his first senior Scotland call-up ahead of a friendly against Curaçao last month, had already piqued the interest of Championship clubs and Scottish heavyweights Rangers before the transfer market began.

Now that the window has opened, interest in Graham is beginning to emerge, according to reports from Alan Nixon via his Patreon page on Sunday morning, with Portsmouth poised to hold negotiations with the player about a potential move.

The defender will apparently be available for £1.5 million this summer, and Pompey are now attempting to secure his services by meeting with him this week.

Graham appeared 40 times for Dundee in all competitions last season, scoring three goals and earning the club’s Player of the Season title for his outstanding individual performance.

Portsmouth are facing fierce competition for Luke Graham.

Unfortunately for Portsmouth, they will have heavy competition to recruit Graham this summer, with a number of other Championship clubs also interested in the Perth-born centre-back.

According to Nixon’s latest report, Lincoln City, Derby County, Stoke City, and Rangers are all still interested in signing Graham, giving him with plenty of options.

Pompey apparently believe they can persuade the 22-year-old to move to Fratton Park and are eager to do so, but Lincoln are also claimed to have made an offer for the defender, with Derby, Stoke, and Rangers also interested.

Nixon also indicated that Derby’s potential takeover could have an impact on their priorities, potentially leaving them behind in the race to recruit the highly rated Dundee star.

It’s unknown where Graham prefers to play, whether he wants to try his hand in the EFL, where there are many of choices, or stay in Scotland and join one of the country’s powerhouses, Rangers.

The rumoured £1.5 million fee Dundee is requesting appears to be a reasonable price for Graham, so it’s no wonder that many clubs are lining up to try to get a deal done.