Birmingham City urged to seal Reading FC transfer - He can replace Marc Leonard | OneFootball

Reading midfielder Charlie Savage has reportedly attracted interest from multiple Championship clubs - including Birmingham City

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Reading midfielder Charlie Savage has reportedly attracted interest from multiple Championship clubs - including Birmingham City, according to Football Insider.

The Royals are said to be demanding £2m for the 22-year-old Wales international, who scored five times and assisted nine in 45 League One games this past season.

Blues' ambitions may determine Charlie Savage transfer

Speaking about the reported interest in Savage, FLW's resident Bluenose, Jason Moore, does think the midfielder has the quality to make the step-up to the Championship - though asks questions about whether he can perform at the level Birmingham are targeting.

Moore told FLW: "When we were down in League One, whenever we played teams, there was always the odd player you’d look at and say he’d do a job in the Championship - would they do a job at the top end of the Championship? Questions were always there.

"I think Charlie Savage is one of them. Whether he’s technically ready for that jump towards the top end of the Championship - where we look to be aiming for, I don’t know."

Charlie Savage could be a potential Marc Leonard replacement

Moore sees Savage as a potential replacement should Birmingham decide to loan out Marc Leonard - viewing the Reading star as more naturally suited to central midfield than current option Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

"If we were to offload Marc Leonard, which it looks like we’re going to do on loan, I’d look at Charlie Savage. I think he’s a good player.

"I’d take him. He’s definitely, for me, more of a central midfield player than what Taylor Gardner-Hickman is as well. A good player, but he’s just a very, very good squad player.

"I’d definitely take Charlie Savage, but the question is, are Blues looking higher than that? From the players we’ve been linked with, we might be looking higher than him, but I wouldn't personally say no, there’s a very good player there."

Strong League One credentials suggest Championship potential for Charlie Savage

Savage's performances this past season demonstrate why Championship clubs are taking notice.

The midfielder has been a key figure for the Royals, starting 40 of their 45 League One matches and contributing to 14 goals. His consistency has been particularly impressive - averaging 78 minutes per appearance.

The 22-year-old's journey to men's football suggests he does possess a good mentality to handle high-pressure situations in the second-tier.

Having come through Manchester United's academy system - making his Champions League debut against Young Boys in 2021 - Savage has already experienced high-level football at a young age.

His subsequent loan spell at Forest Green Rovers provided valuable first-team experience before his permanent move to Reading in 2023.

The decision to fork out £2m for Savage may ultimately depend on Blues' broader squad planning - and whether they view Savage as a player who can grow with the club or need someone who can make an immediate impact at top-end Championship level.