Former Portsmouth target Luke Graham has revealed the coaching staff at Stoke City was the deciding factor in his £2m summer move, snubbing Fratton Park despite Pompey's strong interest. The 22-year-old defender, who was heavily linked with John Mousinho's side earlier this year, ultimately chose the Potters after a competitive bidding process involving 43 clubs from across Europe. Portsmouth finished 18th in the Championship last season with 55 points, 14 wins, 13 draws and 19 losses, scoring 49 goals and conceding 64 for a -15 goal difference.
Why did Luke Graham choose Stoke over Portsmouth?
Graham cited Stoke's coaching team, led by Mark Robins, as the key factor in his decision. The defender told The Sentinel: 'A big factor in my coming here is trying to take my game to the next level, and I feel like with the coaches here, this is the perfect place to learn to do that.' He also highlighted Stoke's ambition, mentioning their other summer signings including Ethan Galbraith and Djibril Soumare. Pompey had agreed personal terms with Graham but lost out in the final stages of the transfer battle.
What was Portsmouth's interest in Luke Graham?
Portsmouth first pursued Graham in January with a £1.5m bid, which was rejected by Dundee. They reignited their interest in June, competing with Stoke and 41 other clubs. The Blues agreed a £2m fee with Dundee and personal terms with the player, but Graham ultimately chose Stoke. Mousinho still has six defensive options but is expected to make further changes before the new season.
What's next for Portsmouth?
With the transfer window still open, Portsmouth will look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Championship campaign. Their next fixture is an away game against Blackburn Rovers on 20 February 2027, with the hosts currently 20th in the table. The Blues finished 40 points behind league leaders Coventry last season and will aim to improve on their 18th-place finish.
