Wrexham and Birmingham City in Hunt for League One Midfielder
Newly-promoted Wrexham and Birmingham City are reportedly eyeing up Reading midfielder Charlie Savage following the two sides’ promotions to the Championship.
The teams, who finished in the top two positions in League One in the 2024/25 season, are set to compete against fellow second-tier outfits Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth for the signing of the young Welshman.
The 22-year-old was one of Reading’s most influential players as they finished seventh, three points outside the play-offs, but may be set for a move to a higher league, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke.
Championship clubs battle for deal
The fight for the Wales international is not expected to be easy for either of the four sides, with fierce competition, particularly between the big-money teams Wrexham, who have won three successive promotions, and Birmingham.
Reading reportedly value the former Manchester United youngster at £2 million and may no longer be in desperate need of financial input following their takeover by Redwood Holdings, led by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig, so could hold out against any smaller offers.
It is fair to assume that the two newly-promoted sides are best-placed to agree a deal for Savage but Blackburn and Portsmouth could both have a say in his eventual destination.
Rovers finished narrowly outside the play-off positions, just two points behind sixth-placed Bristol City, after a late resurgence in form, and Pompey settled in a respectable 16th on their return to the second tier after 12 seasons away.
Savage’s rising potential
The midfielder made 51 appearances in all competitions for the Berkshire club in the season just finished, scoring 5 goals and providing 13 assists, with nine coming in League One to make him the second-highest assist-maker in the division, one behind Leyton Orient’s loanee Jamie Donley.
He joined Reading in 2023 on a four-year contract from Manchester United, who he made one appearance for as an 18-year-old in the Champions League.
He spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at then-League One Forest Green Rovers, scoring one goal in 15 games as the club were relegated to the fourth division.
Since joining Reading, his game has developed hugely, contributing 26 goal involvements in just less than 100 matches and also earning his maiden call-up to the Wales senior team, making his debut in October 2023.
His game is focused on moving the ball and creating chances for his teammates and he has said himself that he is a “ball player”, as shown by his assist numbers and his 80% pass accuracy, so would be well-suited to the higher level of quality associated with the Championship.
