Are Dundee preparing for life after Graham?

[BBC] In all probability life after Luke Graham is almost reality for the Dundee fans. After months and months of intense speculation over the sought after central defender's future, it looks likely that the 22-year-old will depart Dens Park over the summer. It is not all doom and gloom for the Dark Blues, who will be substantially remunerated should one of Graham's potential suitors make their move and meet their asking price.

How they reinvest that money could be key in determining how they get on next season. Head coach Steven Pressley can rightly take a feeling of satisfaction in to the close season having steered his team to an eighth place Premiership finish – they were 10th the campaign before. A rock at the back, Graham has been an integral part of the team's development.

How they replace him, if he goes, looks like a huge decision. Since Pressley's arrival last summer, he has proved to be a shrewd operator in the transfer market having made a number of clever and effective signings, and he may need to be again – Graham will be big boots to fill. But perhaps the answers are already in the building at Dens Park – they certainly do have a few young centre halves on their books who possibly could fill the space.

Twenty-four-year-old Ryan Astley – who recently signed a new deal - has already established himself in the starting line-up. Billy Koumetio, 23, and Aaron Donnelly, 22, are both players Pressley will be hoping could also step in and do a solid job in the heart of the Dundee defence. Whether the solution is on their doorstep, or whether it lies elsewhere – it will be intriguing to see what life after Luke Graham looks like.