Cardiff City receive boost over Sheffield Wednesday in Charlie Savage transfer race | OneFootball

Charlie Savage is attracting transfer interest ahead of the upcoming summer window

With the summer transfer window set to officially open in a matter of weeks, the rumour mill has already gone into overdrive throughout the Championship, League One and League Two.

That is despite the fact that not all clubs are fully aware of their respective divisional status' at this moment in time, with the second, third and fourth tier play-off finals now upon us over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend.

However, for those who saw their seasons finish earlier in May, they can now plan ahead for next season, with Cardiff City certainly falling into said category after a fine first season under Brian Barry-Murphy in South Wales.

The Bluebirds were relegated to League One level for the first time in over 20 years this time 12 months ago, with the Irishman then tasked with successfully leading what was the division's second-youngest squad in terms of average age to success.

As well as reaching the EFL Cup quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Club World Cup champions, Chelsea, despite a valiant effort on home turf, Barry-Murphy was eventually able to steer Cardiff to automatic promotion at the end of the campaign, with their return to the second tier clinched through a 3-1 win against Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on April 18th.

Indeed, they were the second club to clinch promotion in Berkshire, with Lincoln City doing exactly the same 12 days beforehand, before Michael Skubala's side romped to the title by hitting 103 points.

However, it is, apparently, the Bluebirds who now hold an advantage in a transfer battle involving all three of the aforementioned clubs.

Cardiff City lead four-way transfer battle for Reading FC ace Charlie Savage

Indeed, it has been reported by the Reading Chronicle that Cardiff are the club leading a four-way transfer battle for the Royals' midfield ace and Welsh international, Charlie Savage.

Throughout his time in Berkshire, the two-time international has been linked with a departure after impressing under the likes of Ruben Selles, Noel Hunt and Leam Richardson.

Indeed, it was claimed in the most recent transfer window that the likes of Norwich City and Oxford United held an interest in the services of the 23-year-old, with the latter also seeing a reported £500,000 bid turned down.

However, the aforementioned fresh report claims that the Bluebirds are emerging as early contenders to potentially prize Savage away from Reading, ahead of Lincoln, Blackburn Rovers and newly-relegated Sheffield Wednesday, who are now under the ownership of David Storch.

It has now been stated that a fee of approximately £800,000 could be enough to complete a deal, with the son of former Leicester City and Birmingham City man, Robbie, out-of-contract next summer after scoring twice and posting five more assists in 43 League One appearances this season.

Charlie Savage addition would align with Cardiff City's vision under Brian Barry-Murphy

Although not actually born in Wales, Savage's connections to his father's homeland have been well-documented, and as well as the sentiment surrounding a potential move, his age and potential would align with Cardiff's vision under Barry-Murphy.

The man who previously managed Manchester City's Elite Development Squad, has played a major role in the success stories of the likes of Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio, Joel Bagan, Alex Robertson and Rubin Colwill, among others.

The latter, of course, was able to post 17 goal contributions from midfield last term, which would give hope to Savage that more goals could eventually be added to his game.

Also, after shining in League One for Reading and Forest Green Rovers beforehand, the Manchester United academy graduate will certainly feel he has earned a shot at the Championship for the first time in his career.